Arc awards $1,000 scholarship to Decker

WATKINS GLEN, June 30 -- The Arc of Schuyler awarded its Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship to Bradford Central School graduate Destiny Decker at its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on June 15 at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

This $1,000 scholarship honors Joanne Hayes, former board member and president of The Arc of Schuyler’s board of directors who passed away in 1987. The award is given annually to a graduating senior pursuing an education in human services, special education, or a related field for a career providing supports to people with developmental disabilities.

Destiny Decker, daughter of Harold Decker, will enroll at Elmira College this fall to study biochemistry. In her application essay, Decker expressed her aspiration to become an OB/GYN to advocate for prenatal care and good health for all women.

Decker is valedictorian of her class. She has received many academic and athletic awards and honors, including the Elmira College Key Award. She has demonstrated leadership skills through her participation in National Honor Society, Student Council, and Academic All-Stars. In addition to her academic achievements, she also works at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Decker’s school counselor, Sarah Baker, commented, “Destiny is very much an advocate for people with developmental disabilities and makes a stand for equal treatment for everyone.”

The Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship is made possible through donations to The Arc of Schuyler, a not-for-profit organization providing supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. For more information, visit arcofschuyler.org.

The bleachers were full, as were rows of chairs between the stands and football field.

Hundreds gather for memorial service
at WGHS football field for Ryan Pruitt

WATKINS GLEN, June 11, 2017 -- They gathered by the hundreds Sunday afternoon in the hot sun beside the Watkins Glen High School football field to honor the memory of Ryan Pruitt, a standout student-athlete at the school who died the previous Monday.

The bleachers on the east side of the field were filled, as were rows of chairs between the stands and the athletic field -- the field where Pruitt once excelled, in one football game amassing 337 yards rushing.

There were onlookers standing on either side of the full bleachers, too, listening to the speeches in Ryan's honor.

Pruitt, a senior who was also an exceptional track athlete as well as a dynamic cheerleader, was remembered by close friends, coaches, an administrator, a cousin and a pastor.

High School prinicipal Kai D'Alleva opened the ceremony with words about Ryan -- how he was "a model student athlete, and that's not an exaggeration, not hyperbole. He was truly a pleasure to be around each and every day, and he is sorely missed in the hallways of WGHS."

D'Alleva said that in reaction to Pruitt's death, an organization has been formed by teacher Ward Brower called "24" -- the number Ryan proudly wore on the football field.

"It has three tenets," said D'Alleva, for students in emotional need.

"Know that things will be better in 24 hours," D'Alleva said. "Second, there are at least 24 people available to talk to. And third, there are at least 24 people who love you and would be devastated to lose you ... Consider joining 24. Honor Ryan by trying to prevent another tragedy such as this."

A speech was then presented by close friend Amanda Pike, who said Ryan "had a heart of gold ... that guy who someone (else) will be compared to." His passing, she said, "is heartbreaking."

Coaches from his cheerleading team praised Ryan for his work ethic, his dedication, his determination, his smile, "and oh, that laugh." Members of the team performed an aerial maneuver on the football field in Ryan's honor.

Teacher and Senior Class Advisor Sam Brubaker said Ryan "was always willing to give his all in class" and to help others, and that "watching him compete" on the playing field "was inspiring." He said Ryan had "a big heart, a contagious laugh" ... and that with his death "there is a void in my heart."

Football coaches Trevor Holland, who coached Ryan this past season, and Lou Condon Jr., who coached him in seasons past, praised Ryan the player and person. Holland said Ryan "wore the number 24 proudly," and that "the things he did for us" on the football field "were memorable." He also told a TV reporter beforehand that Ryan was "a wonderful young man who other students looked up to."

Condon said Ryan showed "determination, reliability, dignity and respect" every day, and that his "speed and strength set him apart," but that he was an MVP because he made those around him better. "He helped other people realize how valuable they were or could be."

A cousin, John Wagner, called Ryan "an amazing young man" with "a shining personality" and "a spirit within that knew no boundaries." With his death, Wagner said, "there is a huge hole in our hearts and our souls."

And Pastor Micheal Spencer of His Tabernacle Family Church in Horseheads wondered, in the wake of this tragedy, "What happened? What happened to the one with the smile, the one with the laugh? One of the things we have to guard more than anything else is hope."

While "we can't understand why these things happen," Spencer said, he was sure that if Ryan "could stand here now, he would say 'Never lose hope.''' The pastor added that the 24 program organized by Brower will "let you know" in times of emotional distress "that there are people around you" willing to provide love and support.

After the speeches, 24 helium balloons were released to the sky in Ryan Pruitt's memory, and a long line formed for attendees to express their condolences to his family under a shelter at midfield.

Photos in text:

Top: A table near the reception tent at midfield.
Middle: The athletic field scoreboard carried Ryan's uniform number: 24.
Bottom: Members of the cheerleading team to which Ryan belonged performed an aerial maneuver in his honor.

Helium balloons were released skyward, from a point midway along the football field.

O-M presents its academic awards

ODESSA, June 6, 2017 -- Academic awards were presented to students at the Odessa-Montour High School during an assembly on June 5.

They were as follows:

CONNIE TORPY JONES MEMORIAL AWARD -- Paxtyn Brown

WELLS COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP AWARD -- LeNay Duet

HONOR ROLL
This award is presented to students who have been on the Honor Roll (84.5 average) the first five marking periods this school year.

Freshmen
Micah Brewster
Hannah Chapman
Ryan Griswold
Noah Hollenbeck
Deshawn Johnson
Lydia Lynch
Rhys Stermer

Sophomores
Hannah Bruno
Hunter Daugherty
Olivia Grover
Dylan Houseknecht
Tori Reese
Hannah Rosier
Nadia Simpson

Juniors
Taylor Alton
Noah Austin
Alec Betts
Noelle Chamberlain
Kayla Dundas
Mia Force-Russell
Curtis Harris
Erin Kleist
Shaunalynn Maddox
Nakiaha Robinson
Anna Ross
Bronwyn Stermer
William Tague
Meagan Terry

Seniors
Breeana Bentley
Tyler Bump
Alyssa Crout
Kyle Frasier
Andrew Fudala
Alexander Grady
Dasia Herrmann
Mitchell Scata
Nicholas Sgrecci
Kyle States
Taylor States
Britney Visscher

MATH DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Highest Algebra Regents Award -- Kennedey Heichel
Highest Geometry Regents Award -- Noah Brewster
Highest Algebra II Regents Award -- Cameron Bryington
Highest 4 Year Math Award -- Nicholas Sgrecci

TECHNOLOGY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Excellence in Technology -- Alex Grady, Cameron Bryington, Tyler Bump and Kyle States

HISTORY DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Excellence in Government -- Kyle States and Madison Morse
Excellence in Economics -- Cameron Bryington
Joseph Lemak Global Studies Award -- Nakiaha Robinson
Highest Global II Average -- Noah Brewster
Edward Banfi U. S. History Award -- Emelia Paulisczak
Highest Average in U.S. Histroy -- Colin Marsh

PHYSICAL EDUCATION BABE RUTH AWARDS -- Alyssa Crout and Nicholas Sgrecci

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Grade 11 -- Hailey Perraut and Almon McCarty
Grade 10 -- Jacqulyn Vincent and Noah Brewster
Grade 9 -- JoLynn Minnier and Caleb Thomas

USMC Scholastic Excellence Award -- Emelia Paulisczak

NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL TRIPLE C AWARD -- Nakiaha Robinson and Trey McCarty

ENGLISH AWARDS
English 9 Award -- Grace Vondracek
English 10 Award -- Noah Brewster
English 11 Academic Excellence Award -- Gillian Clark
English 12 Academic Excellence Award -- Madison Morse
ACE English Academic Award -- Sage Garrison

SPANISH AWARDS
Spanish II Achievement Awards -- Grace Vondracek and Derrick Lewis
Spanish III Achievement Awards -- McKennah Lott and Noah Brewster
Spanish IV Achievement Award -- Cheyenne Barrett and Colin Marsh
ACE Spanish Achievement Award -- Breeana Bentley
5 Year Spanish Awards -- Breeana Bentley, Emelia Paulisczak, Ethan Fellwock, Dasia Herrmann and Ashley Stewart

CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE AWARDS - HIGHEST AVERAGE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
Grade 9 -- Emily Ross
Grade 10 -- Noah Brewster
Grade 11 -- Colin Marsh

BAUSCH AND LOMB HONORARY SCIENCE AWARD -- Colin Marsh

BOYS STATE AWARDS -- Taylor Grover

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER FREDRICK DOUGLAS AND SUSAN B. ANTHONY AWARD -- Nakiaha Robinson

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Earth Science -- Jacqulyn Vincent
Living Environment -- Emily Ross
Chemistry -- Hailey Perraut

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER GEORGE EASTMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD -- Gillian Clark

KEUKA COLLEGE GEORGE H. BALL COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD -- Taylor Grover, Cameron Adams, Kayla Dundas, Taylor Alton, and Trey McCarty

ELMIRA COLLEGE KEY AWARD -- Hailey Perraut and Curtis Harris

PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD
9th Grade -- Marisa Alton, Sara Gardner, Preston Harris, John Jelliff, Julia Paulisczak, Johnathan Sanders, and Cheianne Webster
10th Grade -- Tyler Carson, Olivia Grover, Jadyn Lauper, Dezirae Minnier, Jonah Thompson, and Jacqulyn Vincent
11th Grade -- Cameron Adams, Taylor Alton, Cheyenne Barrett, Alec Betts, Michael Carson, and Trevor Dunn

HIGH HONOR ROLL
This award is presented to students who have been on the High Honor Roll (89.5 average) the first five marking period this school year.

Freshmen
Samantha Dudgeon
Sara Gardner
Tassia Garrison
Paden Grover
Preston Harris
Derrick Lewis
Julia Paulisczak
Kara Reese
Emily Ross
Caleb Thomas
Grace Vondracek
Brett Walters

Sophomores
McKenzie Barrett
Noah Brewster
Tyler Carson
Hailey Ferguson
Kennedey Heichel
Jacy Knapp
McKennah Lott
Madison Randall
Maria Scata
Syria Tague
Jaqulynn Vincent
Kacie Wood

Juniors
Cheyenne Barrett
Heidi Casselberry
Gillian Clark
Kendra Heffner
Alyssa Lindsley
Colin Marsh
Almon McCarty
Hailey Perraut
Jaylin Rumsey
Carly Smith

Seniors
Cameron Bryington
Simonne DeWalt
Angelika Friis
Sage Garrison
Amanda Jones
Madison Morse
Emelia Paulisczak
Andrew Stevenson

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMPUTING MEDAL -- Colin Marsh and Carly Smith

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY AWARD -- Cheyenne Barrett and Curtis Harris

HUMBLE HUMANITARIAN AWARD -- McKenzie Barrett

SENIOR HIGH HEALTH EXCELLENCE AWARD -- Alyssa Lindsley

RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE STUDENT SAGE AWARD -- Erin Kleist and Meagan Terry

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER XEROX AWARD -- Trevor Dunn

PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE (Must have 90 average and College Entrance Exam Scores at or above the 85th Percentile) -- Emelia Paulisczak, Nicholas Sgrecci, Cameron Bryington and Ethan Fellwock

FOUR YEAR HONORS
(Seniors who have a 3-5/6 year average of 85 or above)

Jonathan Andrews
Breeana Bentley
Paxtyn Brown
Tyler Bump
Cameron Bryington
Alyssa Crout
Simonne DeWalt
Ethan Fellwock
Kyle Frasier
Andrew Fudala
Sage Garrison
Alexander Grady
Dasia Herrmann
Angela Hess
Amanda Jones
Kayla Loney
Madison Morse
Emelia Paulisczak
Collin Povoski
Mitchell Scata
Nicholas Sgrecci
Andrew Stevenson
Taylor Sykes
Britney Visscher

WGHS presents 7th, 8th grade awards

WATKINS GLEN, June 5 -- The following awards were presented to the Watkins Glen High School 7th and 8th grade students at an awards assembly on May 31, 2017.

7th Grade High Honor Roll Award:
Bailey Beaumont, Owen Bingham, Gavin Bond, Kaylynn Burke, Haley Carl, Douglas DiGregorio, Noah Gardner, Andrew Hayes, Zachary Hines, Cameron Holland, Madelynn Jones, Ashlyn Karius, Isabella LaFace, Mason Lampman-Roisen, Kellie Memoli, Sierra Morris, Kaylana Rekczis, Matthew Sandritter, Jade Scaptura, Owen Scholtisek, Jordannmarie Simpson, Maya Somerville, Benjamin Swinnerton, Kade Westervelt, Gaetono Williams, Melanie Wysocki, Robin Zimba.

7th Grade Honor Roll Award:
Breanna Carl, Ethan Day, Molly Dunham, Talon Elliott, Georgio Fazzary, Abigail Gibson, Kaila Hammond, Hannah Jitomir-Rowland, Katherine Larson, Zachary Naylor, Braden Pesco, Jacob Pierce, Mitchell Pike, Gwendolyn Reynolds, Emily Rhoads, Raeline Rider, Charlie Samuel, Kara Sheesley, Anya Simpson, Brandon Smith, Caleb Smith, Matthew Swarthout, Christa Taber, Jade Williams, Cloey Wratten, Ashley Youmans.

7th Grade ELA
Haley Carl, Zachary Hines, Isabella LaFace, Mason Lampman-Roisen, Gwendolyn Reynolds, Matthew Sandritter, Brandon Smith.

7th Grade Most Improved Math
Molly Dunham, Madelynn Jones, Ashlyn Karius, Katherine Larson, Kellie Memoli, Mitchell Pike, Anya Simpson.

Excellence in Pre Algebra 7
Douglas DiGregorio, Cameron Holland, Sierra Morris, Matthew Sandritter.

Excellence in Math 7
Brandon Smith

Perseverance in Math
Colby Thurston

7th Grade Science - EO Wilson Award
Gavin Bond, Brandon Smith.

Jane Goodall Award (Science)
Ashlyn Karius, Robin Zimba.

Alfred Russell Wallace (Science)
Douglas DiGregorio, Kellie Memoli.

Rachel Carson Award (Science)
Jade Scaptura, Owen Scholtisek.

Charles Darwin Award (Science)
Mason Lampman-Roisen
Matthew Sandritter

7th Grade Physical Education
Donner Bean, Michael Gee, Abigail Gibson, Kaila Hammond, Andrew Hayes, Cameron Holland, Hannah Jitomar-Rowland, Madelynn Jones, Travon Jones, Mason Lampman-Roisen, Kellie Memoli, Sierra Morris , Adam Pastore, Owen Scholtisek, Anya Simpson, Caleb Smith, Luke Spahalski, Colby Thurston, Melanie Wysocki.

7th Grade Social Studies
Owen Bingham, Douglas DiGregorio, Andrew Hayes, Cameron Holland, Ashlyn Karius, Mason Lampman-Roisen, Matthew Sandritter, Maya Somerville, Kade Westervelt, Robin Zimba.

7th Grade Technology
Daine Butler, Isabella LaFace, Mason Lampman-Roisen, Kellie Memoli, Brandon Smith, Robin Zimba.

Junior Honor Society Inductees
Carly Arnold, Kendall Gascon, Dallas Johnson, Maia Kamakawiwoole, Skylar Lagramada, Han Shun Liu, Faye Mooney, Sarah Schaffner, Jonah Sissel, Jenna Solmon, Joseph Sutterby, Julia Thorsland, Emmalise Updyke, Kayla Wood.

Health (7th Grade)
Owen Bingham, Gavin Bond, Molly Dunham, Georgio Fazzary, Abigail Gibson, Andrew Hayes, Cameron Holland, Raeline Rider, Benjamin Swinnerton, Gaetono Williams.

Rotary/Interact Service Above Self Award
Andrew Hayes, Matthew Sandritter.

8th Grade High Honor Roll Award
Christopher Berry, Maria Brubaker, Steven Cinelli, Jr., Timothy Clifford, Abby Congdon, Kelsey DeMillo, Natalie Edmister, Shannon Ervay, Maxwell Evans, Heidi Gardner, Brianna Hayes, Vanessa Heim, Mikayla Holmes, Bryce Kelly, Aislinn Klemann, Seamus Mooney, Dylan Morse, Genevieve Osborne, Kayla Palmer, Jasmine Searle, David Strait, Cale Sutterby, Brooke Usher, Amanda Wilbur.

8th Grade Honor Roll Award
Kaitlin Asbury, Savannah Ayers, Boyd Barber, Jack Chen, Devon Cummings, Taylor Cummings, Tanner Dunham, Silas Farrell, Jon Havel, III, Conner Novinsky, Nolan Ormsbee, Ava VanDusen, Nicholas Wilston, Nicholas Yaw.

Peter Galatis Award
Seamus Mooney

8th Grade Science Attitude Award
Amanda Wilbur

Science Leadership Award
Shannon Ervay

Science Out of the Box Award
Nicholas Wilston

8th Grade Math/or Algebra Award
Kelsey DeMillo, Vanessa Heim, Aislinn KIemann, Dylan Morse, Kayla Palmer, David Strait, Brooke Usher, Nicholas Yaw.

Mr. Michel’s Physical Education Class
Maria Brubaker, Abby Congdon, Devon Cummings, Aislinn Klemann, Seamus Mooney, Connor Novinsky, Kayla Palmer Ava VanDusen.

Mr. Brubaker’s Physical Education Class
Natalie Edmister, Matthew Irwin, Dylan Morse, Justin Rappleye, Amanda Wilbur.

Home and Careers
Maria Brubaker, Jack Chen, Brianna Hayes, Kayla Palmer.

8th Grade History
Shannon Ervay, Tim Clifford, Brianna Hayes, Bryce Kelly, Kayla Palmer, Amanda Wilbur.

8th Grade ELA
Highest Average
Tim Clifford, Kayla Palmer
Outstanding Work Ethic
David Strait, Amanda Wilbur.
Love of Literature
Shannon Ervay, Briana Hayes.
Triple C Award
Shannon Ervay, Bryce Kelly.
Comptroller Award
Jon Havel, III

8th Grade Spanish
Shannon Ervay, Briana Hayes, Mikayla Holmes, Dylan Morse, Kayla Palmer.

7th Grade Students Elected to 8th Grade Class Officers (Class of 2022)
President -- Cameron Holland
Vice-President -- Matthew Sandritter
Secretary -- Robin Zimba
Treasurer -- Mason Lampman-Roisen

WGHS presents awards at assembly

WATKINS GLEN, June 1, 2017 -- Watkins Glen High School presented various academic and athletic awards this week.

The awards and their recipients included:

Student Council Recognition:
Aidan DeBolt, Alexis Bingham, Courtney Irwin, Abigail Miller, Alyssa Arcangeli

Rotary Students of the Month Recognition: September - Jacob Carocci; October - Ruthe Gardner; November - Jacob Lokken; December - Courtney Irwin; January - Phebe Wickham; February - Rong Hang Lin; March - Patrick Hazlitt[ April - Aidan DeBolt; May - Brendan Neira; June - Angel Hamm

Interact/Rotary Service Awards:
President: Sara McManus
Vice President: Elise Allington
Secretary: Emilee Stephani

“Service Above Self” Award:
Seniors: Amanda Armstrong, Jacob Carocci, Nicholas Crosby, Patrick Hazlitt, Sara Morrissette, Samuel Hanley, and Moeko Oshima.
Juniors: Makenna Fraboni, Meghan Hayes, Daniel Paradiso, Hannah St. Julien, Jared Sandritter, Tanner Ryan, and Torie Hill.
Sophomores: Dylan Markley, Isabella Fazzary, and Joseph Chedzoy.
Freshman: Julia Delong and Peter Sandritter.

TIES Volunteer Awards: Courtney Irwin, Liza Carnes, and Sara McManus

Technology Awards Certificates: Alexander Gibson, Ashton Hill, and Jacob Lokken

Varsity Academic Marathon: Jacob Carocci, Alexander Gibson, Rong Hang Lin, Brienna Solomon, Cambria Weeden, and Phebe Wickham

University of Rochester:
Bausch & Lomb Science Honorary Award: Tanner Ryan
Fredrick Douglas & Susan B. Anthony Award for Social Sciences & Humanities: Gabriella Decker
George Eastman Young Leaders Award: Hanley Elliott
Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology: Meghan Hayes

Elmira College Key Award: Kendra Larson and Torie Hill

Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award: Clara Chedzoy and Meghan Hayes

Clarkson University Leadership Award: Kaitlyn Valla

Clarkson University Achievement Award: Daniel Paradiso

Rochester Institute of Technology Junior Awards:
Innovation & Creativity Award: Clara Chedzoy and Trevor Thurston
Computing Medal and Scholarship Program: Hanley Elliott and Tanner Ryan

Hobart and William Smith Colleges:
Finger Lakes Scholarship: Clara Chedzoy, Meghan Hayes, Tanner Ryan, Gabriella Decker, Trevor Thurston, Kaitlyn Valla, Hanley Elliott, and Emilia Bond

Sage College Merit Scholarship: Clara Chedzoy and Meghan Hayes

Keuka College:
The George H. Ball Community Achievement Award: Clara Chedzoy, Trevor Thurston, Torie Hill, Kendra Larson, and Jared Sandritter

Alfred University Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering Award for Academic Excellence: Kaitlyn Valla

Top Ten Recognition: Jacob Carocci, Ruthe Gardner, Sara Gardner, Alexander Gibson,
Rong Hang Lin, Jacob Lokken, Brienna Solomon, Payton Watson, Cambria Weeden, and Phebe Wickham

Boy’s State Recognition Awards: Tanner Ryan, Daniel Paradiso, Tyler Couch, Sean Holland, and Jackson Dunham

Math Recognition Awards:
Algebra Regents Award: Alexander Pesco
Geometry Regents Award: Joseph Chedzoy
Algebra II Regents Award: Clara Chedzoy

Ruth Warner Math Awards: Derrian Shepherd and Jazsmine Hudson

The Pulitzer Prize of Schuyler County, Excellence in Scholastic Journalism: Brianna Smith

iLead Recognition Awards: Maria Chedzoy, Ryan Clark, Tiffini Crissinger, Nicholas Crosby, Angel Hamm, Ryanna LaMoreaux, Hannah Matusicky, Sara McManus, Brendan Neira, Brianna Smith, Kayla Smith

Francis W. Blake Sportsmanship Awards: Samuel Hanley and Brienna Solomon

Barb Hughey Physical Education Award: Aidan DeBolt and Alyssa Arcangeli

Water Safety Award: Ruthe Gardner

Senecas Football Award: Jordan Dillenbeck

Track & Field Award: Isobel Scheffey and Patrick Hazlitt

Athletic Service Award: Alex Schimizzi

Dr. Arthur J. Jackson Award: Cambria Weeden and Jacob Carocci

Coach Joseph J. Lemak, Sr. Award: Amanda Pike and Patrick Hazlitt

T.J. O’Rourke Award: Aidan DeBolt

James Angelo, Sr. Basketball Award: Connor Seeley-Ion and Maxwell Schimizzi

Chemistry Regents Award: Clara Chedzoy

Gerald Loughlin Biology Regents Award (Living Environment): H. Nathaniel Rose

Physics Regents Award: Phebe Wickham

Earth Science Regents Award: Thomas Nelson

AP Achievement Award: Ruthe Gardner

English Regents Award: Phebe Wickham

Kate LaMoreaux Lover of Literature Award: William Fitzsimmons

Dugo-Bahns U.S. History Regents Award: Thomas Nelson, Clara Chedzoy, Jared Sandritter, and Tanner Ryan

Bahns-Dugo Global History Regents Award: William Fitzsimmons, Jacob Carocci, and Ruthe Gardner

Marie Fitzsimmons Student Humanitarian Award: William Fitzsimmons

Melissa B Wilson Basketball Award: Amanda Pike

National Honor Society Awards:
NHS Presidential Award: Jacob Carocci
NHS Service Award: Courtney Irwin
NHS Leadership Award: Courtney Irwin
NHS Scholarship Award: Cambria Weeden
NHS Character Award: Sara Morrissette

YEARBOOK DEDICATION: Ms. Wojtus, Mr. Brubaker, Ms. Wood and Mr. Chicken

Student Council Officer Results:
President: Julian Thornton
Vice-President: Trevor Thurston
Secretary: TBD
Treasurer: Joseph Chedzoy

Photos in text: Award recipients included, from top: Clara Chedzoy, shown with teacher Barbara Coon, and Meghan Hayes, Jacob Carocci, Alex Gibson and Brienna Solomon, each shown with High School Principal Kai D'Alleva.

The 20-member Watkins Glen boys cross country team poses with State Senator Tom O'Mara, left, and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, right.

School assembly, resolution honor WG's
state-champion boys cross country team

WATKINS GLEN, May 27 -- Ninth through 12th graders filed into the Watkins Glen High School auditorium Friday afternoon for an assembly held to honor the school's boys varsity cross country team -- winner of New York State and Federation championships last fall.

Speeches by the team coach, John Fazzary, by Superintendent Tom Phillips and by State Senator Tom O'Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano highlighted the gathering, with O'Mara and Palmesano -- currently with time off from their Albany jobs -- bringing along a resolution from the State Legislature that paid tribute to the team's achievements.

The event followed by 17 days a visit by the school's other state championship team -- the girls varsity basketball team -- to Albany, where they too received a special resolution. Said O'Mara at the time, the visit presented "the opportunity to introduce the Senecas to our Senate and Assembly colleagues." Superintendent Phillips and Athletic Director Rod Weeden accompanied the girls' team to the State Capitol.

Palmesano said the cross country team did not visit Albany after it won its title because the Legislature was not in session during that part of the year. Friday's assembly, he said, gave the team the opportunity to be honored before their schoolmates and community. The assembly was open to the public, and a number of team members' parents were on hand to photograph the event.

The cross-country team, 20 members strong, won the school's first-ever team state title -- a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C championship -- on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Chenango Valley State Park. A week later, on November 19 at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, the team won the New York Federation Cross Country Championship. That latter involved schools of all classes and both private and public educational institutions.

The team was greeted upon its return with the state title by a couple of hundred fans who celebrated the event in the WGHS Field House. A school gathering was later held in the Field House at which the team was honored.

The team consisted of 20 members: Jacob Carocci, Tyler Couch, Clint Craven, Max Evans, Alex Gibson, Steven Gublo, Sam Hanley, Patrick Hazlitt, Elliott Holland, Sean Holland, Isaac McIlroy, Daniel Paradiso, Aaron Planty, Gabe Planty, Shawn Rutledge, Tanner Ryan, Julian Thornton, Sam Thorsland, Conlin Wysocki and William Yeater.

Eight of those runners competed at the State and Federation Championships: Jacob Carocci, Sam Hanley, Patrick Hazlitt, Sean Holland, Daniel Paradiso, Aaron Planty, Gabe Planty and Shawn Rutledge.

All 20 were called to the stage Friday, and photos accordingly taken with O'Mara and Palmesano flanking the runners.

In the speeches beforehand, Fazzary spoke of the season and of coaching the team as "a real highlight of my life," while Phillips, retiring this year, thanked the team and said: "What a way to send me out."

Palmesano said it was "a privilege for us to be here" and that "we wanted to come here in your own backyard, and in front of the community and your peers, to congratulate you."

O'Mara said he was "proud to stand here today ... to honor you on behalf of the entire Legislature." He praised the boys for "the pride you brought to your community," and concluded that the championships were "a job well done."

O’Mara and Palmesano displayed the framed resolution -- Legislative Resolution SR2373 unanimously adopted by the New York Senate and Assembly -- and presented each team member with a copy. The Resolution reads, in part, “Coach John Fazzary and all of the outstanding athletes on the Watkins Glen Boys Varsity Cross Country Team have clearly utilized dedication, determination and teamwork in providing a lasting contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school.”

Photos in text:

Top: State Senator Tom O'Mara, left, with the Legislative Resolution, and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano with an Assembly Proclamation honoring the cross country team.

Middle: State Senator Tom O'Mara shakes hands with team member Shawn Rutledge as teammate Gabe Planty watches.

Bottom: WGHS Athletic Director Rod Weeden and cross-country Coach John Fazzary at Friday's assembly.

The 20 National Honor Society inductees gather on the stage after the ceremony.

20 inducted into National Honor Society

WATKINS GLEN, May 18 -- Twenty Watkins Glen High School students were inducted Wednesday night into the school's chapter of the National Honor Society in a ceremony held in the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium.

The emcee was chapter president Jacob Carocci. Candles were lit representing the four values of the NHS -- Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character --- by NHS members Payton Watson, Aidan DeBolt, Courtney Irwin and Alex Gibson.

Each inductee was introduced by an existing chapter member.

The new inductees are Kayla Marie Smith, Hannah Morse, H. Nathaniel Rose, Makenna Fraboni, Kathleen Clifford, Isabella Fazzary, Allison Gibson, Emilee Stephani, Megan Hazlitt, Wyatt Brower, Danielle Leszyk, Abigail Donelson, Wrett Brower, Kai Sutterby, Dylan Markley, Trevor Thurston, Matthew Herold, Casen Weeden, Annika Wickham and Joseph Chedzoy.

They joined previously chosen members Amber Benjamin, Emilia Bond, Jacob Carocci, Clara Chedzoy, Aidan DeBolt, Gabriella Decker, Hanley Elliott, Ruthe Gardner, Sara Gardner, Alex Gibson, Meghan Hayes, Patrick Hazlitt, Courtney Irwin, Ryanna LaMoreaux, Sara McManus, Abigail Miller, Sara Morrissette, Daniel Paradiso, Tanner Ryan, Isobel Scheffey, Jazmin Shea, Brienna Solomon, Kaitlyn Valla, Payton Watson, Cambria Weeden, Phebe Wickham and Simon Wigmore.

After the introductions, the inductees, now donned in robes and each carrying a candle, lined up on the stage for the National Honor Society pledge and for group photos. Cookies and water were then available during a reception in the hallway outside the auditorium.

Photos in text:

Top: Abigail Donelson dons her National Honor Society robe.
Bottom: National Honor Society president Jacob Carocci.

From left: Hannah Morse, H. Nathaniel Rose, Isabella Fazzary, Kayla Marie Smith.

From left: Kai Sutterby, Kathleen Clifford, Casen Weeden, Annika Wickham.

From left: Joseph Chedzoy, Abigail Donelson, Danielle Leszyk, Makenna Fraboni.

From left: Matthew Herold, Wyatt Brower, Allison Gibson, Wrett Brower.

From left: Dylan Markley, Megan Hazlitt, Emilee Stephani, Trevor Thurston.

Before the prom. From left, Maddie Suddaby, Lexi Castellaneta and Jena Slater.

Some photos from the WGHS prom

SCHUYLER COUNTY, May 16, 2017 -- Saturday night, May 13, marked the annual prom held by Watkins Glen High School at the Logan Ridge facility overlooking Seneca Lake in Hector.

Young men in tuxedos and young women in gowns went to dinner beforehand and then to the prom -- a gathering place for music, dancing, and camaraderie, an event that those attending will likely remember for the rest of their lives.

Some readers -- in the absence an The Odessa File photographer at the prom -- sent along a few photos of the night. We present them here.

Photo in text: At the pier. From left, Jake Johnson, Cierra Barber, Danielle Leszyk and Seth Swinnerton.

From left: Alex Gibson, Courtney Irwin, Jake Lokken, Kathleen Swinnerton, Chad Hunter.

Ten prom-bound students pose after dinner at the Stonecat Cafe in Hector.

Left: From left, Danielle Wise, Nick Alexander, Phillip Wise and Katlyn Kernan. Right: Taylor Kelly and Dalton Cummings.

A half-dozen tuxedo-clad young men pose for a pre-prom photo.

Emergency personnel wheel an "injured" student to the Guthrie Air helicopter.

Simulation offers prom message to students: Don't drink and drive, don't text and drive

WATKINS GLEN, May 12 -- A two-car crash brought on by drinking and the distraction of texting. Law enforcement, a fire department with Jaws of Life extraction equipment, and a helocopter to carry injured to the hospital. And bodies: two covered corpses.

Watching all of this -- a simulation Friday morning overseen by the Watkins Glen High School chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) -- were the school's junior and senior classes, standing as a group on the south end of the parking lot at the rear of the WGHS complex off 12th Street.

The two cars utilized were donated for the exercise by Southern Tier Auto of Monterey, which delivered the vehicles and was removing them afterward -- after rescue personnel had carved them up to remove the "injured" and "dead" from the vehicles. Those roles were filled by WGHS students, complete with makeup applied that morning.

Nearby, the driver of one of the cars -- actually senior Katherine Taylor, the project's makeup artist and, with fellow student Sara Morrissette, credited as key SADD members involved in the event's planning -- was being given a breathalyzer test and "arrested" by village patrolman Jesse Wilson. Taylor was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car after "failing" the test.

The Guthrie Air helicopter donated its time and its equipment, too, and participated in the exercise, wheeling an "injured" passenger on a stretcher, moving the student from one of the vehicles over to the chopper parked on the open lawn nearby.

Watching all of this were the students, to whom School Resource Officer David Waite explained various aspects of the event as it proceeded. He had organized the law enforcement and emergency services aspect of the simulation, and praised Guthrie Air for donating its expertise and equipment, which under normal circumstances costs thousands of dollars.

"And they're coming back next week for Career Day," he said, marveling at the generosity.

Waite summarized the scene to the students as the simulation neared its end.

"The weather today is good," he said. "But what if it was bad? Everything you see here would slow down, making matters even worse.

"I hope you guys plant this memory in your minds for tomorrow night (prom night at Logan Ridge) and for the rest of your lives."

SADD also conducted a Grim Reaper Day this week in the school, whereby a student dressed in black and with a face painted to resemble a skeleton, would enter a classroom every half hour or so and tap a student on the shoulder. That student would leave, don a black robe, be made up to look dead-white, and return to class in complete silence -- signifying his or her loss to classmates through accident and death.

Said one SADD representative: "We hope that all of this impresses them at least in the short term, for this weekend."

Added a member of the Guthrie Air crew to the kids: "This is a simulation, but we see this kind of thing" -- and she waved toward the wrecked cars and two "bodies" covered on the ground, their feet sticking out -- "all the time in our work. It's real."

Photos in text:

Top: WGHS senior Katherine Taylor, in charge of the simulation's makeup, is given a breathalyzer test by Patrolman Jesse Wilson before being "arrested." She was handcuffed and then placed in a police car until the end of the simulation.

Second: School Resource Officer David Waite addresses the students.

Third: Rescuers work to extract an "injured" student from one of the cars.

Fourth: A "body" -- a participating student -- is covered, simulating a fatality.

The two cars used. The scenario was that both drinking and texting were involved, with one driver distracted by texting as the two vehicles collided at an intersection.

Check presented for Summer Rec

A $15,000 donation to help keep the Summer Recreation program at Clute Park going this year was presented Tuesday to the Watkins Glen School District by the Cargill firm, which often supports community projects. Present for the event were Keith Klug, Cargill's Watkins Glen plant manager, and Jerry Dunlavey, the Cargill Cares Committee Chair. Also on hand were Watkins Glen Mayor Sam Schimizzi and other members of the Watkins Glen Village Board, which worked with the school district to keep the program operational. Pictured from left, seated, were School Board members Kris Clarkson and Gloria Brubaker, Superintenent Tom Phillips, School Board president Kelly McCarthy and School Board member Mark Franzese. Standing from left were School Board member Barb Schimizzi, Cargill's Dunlavey, Village Board members Laurie DeNardo and Gary Schimidt, Mayor Schimizzi, Village Board member Kevin Thornton, Cargill's Klug, and School Board members Kristin Hazlitt and Keith Caslin. For a summary of the meeting, click here.

Rotary scholarship applications available

SCHUYLER COUNTY, May 3, 2017 -- Applications for The Watkins-Montour Rotary Club's 2017 Scholarships are now available.

The $1,000 scholarships are awarded to a graduating senior in each of the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour School Districts -- students who will be pursuing higher education and who have what Rotary describes as "a strong focus on Rotary’s mantra, 'Service Above Self.'"

Applications, which can be picked up at the high school Guidance Offices, must be returned to those offices by June 5.

Sykes named CTE Student of the Month

Special to The Odessa File

HORSEHEADS, April 30 -- Taylor Sykes, an Odessa- Montour High School senior in the Early Childhood program, has been selected as a Career and Technical Education Program Student of the Month for February at the GST BOCES Bush Education Center.

Also named was Caleb Wood, an Elmira High School junior in the Conservation program.

“Taylor has been an inspiration to her peers,” said Instructor Amy Warner. “She never hesitates to step up and help others who are struggling. She demonstrates empathy for others and never looks for recognition or rewards.”

Taylor competes with the campus SkillsUSA chapter and volunteers for events on campus. She will attend Corning Community College next year to study social work.

The Student of the Month is selected by a committee of CTE staff based on nominations.

Photo in text: Taylor Sykes, center, a senior in the Early Childhood program, accepts the Student of the Month award from CTE Assistant Principal Rob Sherburne and Instructor Amy Warner. (Photo provided)

Envirothon competitors from Schuyler County pose for a group photo. (Photo provided)

Bradford wins Schuyler Envirothon title

Special to
The Odessa File

OWEGO, April 27, 2017 -- Bradford Central School was the Schuyler County winner of the Regional Envirothon held Thursday at the Tioga County Sportsmen’s Association Center.

“The Crooked Arrows” team (Cody Padgett, Sara Thompson, Montana Towner, Colton Towner, and Brooke Tremaine) came in first out of six teams from Schuyler County and were third overall out of the 28 teams competing from five counties: Schuyler, Chemung, Broome, Tioga and Tompkins.

The Odessa-Montour “Martens” (Andy Ink, Cameron Jensen, Erin Kliest, Colin Marsh, and Hailey Perraut) came in second for Schuyler County and the O-M “Octupi” (Gillian Clark, Ethan Fellwock, Sage Garrison, Colin Povoski and Nick Sgrecci) came in third among the Schuyler teams.

Two Odessa-Montour students were on the second- and third-place teams for Chemung County: Dan Minnier for the “Vicious Voles” (second) of GST (Greater Southern Tier) BOCES and Kyle Frasier on the “Radical Raccoons” (third) for GST BOCES.

“The Crooked Arrows” will represent Schuyler County at the 28th NYS Envirothon at Hobart & William Smith Colleges on May 25 and 26.

This hands-on, environmental education competition is organized by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. A total of 30 Schuyler students were involved in the Regional event this year.

The Envirothon is an annual program in which teams of high school students from across the region and then the state and, ultimately, the nation put their knowledge and understanding of natural resource issues to the test. Students participate in a series of field station tests in the areas of soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and an emerging environmental issue. The 2017 current environmental issue is “Agricultural Soil and Water Conservation Stewardship.”

The 2017 Envirothon was made possible through the contributions of sponsors and partnering agencies. Essential assistance is provided by the school science teachers, the school districts and also local businesses who donate funds for financial support. This year’s Schuyler County Envirothon sponsors, to date, are: Cotton-Hanlon Inc., Watkins Glen Elks Lodge #1546, Reisinger’s Apple Country LLC, Montour Falls Moose Lodge #426, David L. Sidle Insurance Agency, Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, Seneca Lodge, Kimball Realty, and the Watkins Glen Fire Company.

The Bradford teams are coached by science teacher Rebecca Schrader; the Odessa-Montour teams by high school science teacher Doug Chapman; and the BOCES teams by Matt Bryant.

The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District provides programs and services to help residents and communities manage and protect the natural resources of Schuyler County.

Photos in text:

Top: The Bradford “The Crooked Arrows,” Schuyler County-winning Envirothon team. From left: Sara Thompson, Montana Towner, Colton Towner, Cody Padgett and Brook Tremaine.

Second: The Odessa-Montour “Martens,” second-place Envirothon team for Schuyler County. From left: Colin Marsh, Cameron Jensen, Andy Ink, Erin Kliest and Hailey Perraut.

Third: The Odessa-Montour “Octupi” -- third place Envirothon team for Schuyler County. From left: Ethan Fellwock, Colin Povoski, Sage Garrison, Gillian Clark and Nick Sgrecci.

Bottom: Dan Minnier, second from the right, of Odessa was part of the GST BOCES “Vicious Voles” team shown here identifying trees at the forestry station.

Superintendent Tom Phillips and Board President Kelly McCarthy at Tuesday's meeting.

Watkins School Board appoints Kelahan next superintendent, OKs budget plan

4 candidates vying for 3 Board seats in May 16 election

WATKINS GLEN, April 19 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Tuesday night unanimously approved the appointment of Gregory K. Kelahan as the successor to retiring Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Kelahan, superintendent of the Oriskany Central School District in Oneida County since Jan. 1, 2010, was appointed Tuesday to serve first as Deputy Superintendent before taking over when Phillips' reign officially ends as his sick and vacation days expire. Phillips said that will be no later than Oct. 16.

Kelahan (pictured at right), selected from a small pool of candidates invited back by the Board for second interviews, was unable to attend the meeting because he is in London, England, visiting a daughter participating in a program there. He sent the following message to Board President Kelly McCarthy:

"Although I'm 3,500 miles away, please know that my heart and head are already in Watkins Glen. It is my honor and privilege to be joining an accomplished and forward-thinking organization such as this, and I look forward to serving the school and community of Watkins Glen."

Kelahan, who started his career in education as a teacher in the Gouverneur and Fayetteville-Manlius school districts, had -- McCarthy noted -- "been a staff and curriculum development specialist in the Madison-Oneida BOCES, an elementary principal and district curriculum leader in the Madison school district and assistant superintendent in Cazenovia" before assuming his duties at Oriskany.

"His experience in diverse educational organizations at all levels," McCarthy said, "has given him a broad school perspective and an intimate understanding of the needs of each developmental level. Greg holds degrees from SUNY Cortland, Syracuse University and SUNY Buffalo."

Added Board member Mark Franzese:

"Greg has some big shoes to fill following the retirement of Tom Phillips, and he is aware of that.

"We want to thank the parents, teachers and administrators for the input when we started the search. It truly helped to guide us.

"As this was a closed search, Tom was not involved in our process to select Greg in any way.

"We as a School Board take full responsibility for the outcome of this selection and feel we have selected an outstanding person of character as our next superintendent."

McCarthy noted that since the selection process was a closed one, no names of any other candidates would be released.

The budget:

The School Board gave its blessing to a $27,220,200 spending plan to be voted on by district residents on May 16. That is 2.49% more than the 2016-17 spending plan.

The tax levy under the 2017-18 plan is set at 9,508,760, a 3% increase from the 2016-17 total of 9,231,806. This comes when anticipated enrollment is down 2.83%, from 1,096 students in the current school year to 1,065.

However, the overall tax rate is expected to go down 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation due to an increase in assessments.

The Board candidates:

There are four candidates who submitted petitions by Monday's deadline to run for a trio of three-year seats on the School Board on May 16.

Three of the candidates are incumbents:

--Gloria Brubaker, who has served on the Board for the past 12 years and held a Board seat for four years in the late 1980s.

--Kris Clarkson, who is completing his first three-year term.

--Keith Caslin, who is also completing his first three-year term.

The newcomer is Tracey VanSkiver (pictured at right), a mother of three children (4th grade, 2nd grade and pre-K) in the school district. VanSkiver, whose husband Eric is an engineer at Corning, Inc., grew up in the Watkins district and graduated from WGHS. She currently works part-time in the school district as a monitor and sub.

VanSkiver, who with her husband moved away (to Indianapolis) for several years and then back to Watkins Glen, said she is "excited to run" and wants "to help make changes" down the road that will help the district, the community and its children flourish.

"We have a great community, and a wonderful school district with great teachers," she said, noting that she wants "to be part of that" as the district and community evolve.

"The school helps bring the community together," she said. "I want to help keep that positive going." While she will have "a lot to learn" as a Board member, she says she has a lot to contribute.

"I feel I can bring new ideas to the school," she said.

Photos in text: Gregory Kelahan and Tracey VanSkiver

The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team at the Walk of Fame ceremony held Wednesday morning before the entire student body in the school Field House.

School gathering celebrates state title brought home by Watkins Glen girls

WATKINS GLEN, March 22, 2017 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls basketball's Comeback Kids were celebrated once more Wednesday, this time by the school's entire student body gathered for an early-morning assembly in the WGHS Field House.

There was music -- "We Are The Champions" -- and there were speeches, and a big video presentation on the wall of Hannah Morse's state title-winning buzzer beater, the shot that defeated Port Jefferson in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C championship game Sunday.

The 8:30 a.m. assembly kicked into gear with the basketball team, and its coaches, introduced one by one, entering the Field House through a door in the portable wall on the south end of the gym, and making their way to a point in front of an elevated podium at the north end.

The players and coaches stood there, shoulder to shoulder, in front of paper stars on the floor before them. The stars, each with a player's name, constituted the Walk of Fame, items later to be laminated and displayed. But before this ceremony was over, something would be added to each star: the signature of the person whose name appeared on it.

There were stars for Head Coach Alicia Learn and assistant coaches Scott Morse, Bub Chaffee and Ralph Diliberto.

And there were stars for the players: Ryanna LaMoreaux, Hannah Morse, Makenna Fraboni, Clara Chedzoy, Amanda Pike, Katlyn Kernan, Emmie Bond, Taylor Kelly, Mariah Gonzalez, Julia Reilly, Mikenna Ayers, Kendra Larson and Jazmin Shea.

The same sort of ceremony was held after the school's boys cross-country team returned with a state title in the fall. That was the school's first-ever team state championship, and now it has two.

Among the speeches were one by Bond, the state tourney MVP and a school leader; and by Ralph Diliberto, one of the team's assistant coaches.

In his speech, Diliberto quoted Theodore Roosevelt, adding references to females:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man, or woman, stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man or woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself or herself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he or she fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Diliberto then added:

"The mark of a champion, is one who is balanced with pride and humility. Who loses with grace and poise, and wins with class and honor. Respect, diligence and integrity make up their fabric. When one of their teammates are down, they are there to pick them up. When a mistake is made in the contest, they push on to the next play.

"In order to be a champion, you must think like one, train like one, go the extra mile like one. Doing the drills coaches prescribe and one more, to take the extra set of exercises. To be strong mentally, emotionally and physically.

"Always keeping your head up no matter what, in the eye of adversity, because on the other side of adversity you will find what you have been looking for, training for; the goal that you have set for yourself is within your grasp.

"This season you exemplified all that I just stated, you were and still are a perfect storm of balance and talent, and when the dust cleared, dear ladies, you became the 2017 Class C state champions. May your values continue in this regard. I am truly proud of you all. May God bless you."

Bond, in her speech, described the championship weekend:

"I just want to give you all a glimpse into what a ride this season has been. Ever since practice started back in November and coach had us set goals, we all instantly had 'state title' come to mind. We had come so close in the previous years and we just knew what we had to do to get there this time. With two sectional titles already under our belt, we were motivated. Like Coach Bub (Chaffee) always said before every game, "this is the next step." However, the season wasn't always the most enjoyable. We suffered injuries, we fought at times, and had two mid-season losses, but that never stopped us. We aren't like other teams. Most would let the pressure and losses get to them, but not us. Every day, every practice, every tournament and every game was a chance to improve ourselves. We knew every time we stepped on that court what we had to do. Each and every girl on this team has worked so hard and deserves every bit of recognition for this state title.

"This past weekend is a time I know our team will never forget. Saturday we played Mekeel Christian Academy. We came out with such intensity and fire under our feet, the game seemed like it was made for us. We played as a team and were able to get seven girls on the stat sheet in a state semifinal game. After getting that win, we were excited, but we knew it wasn't over yet. The game following ours was the second qualifier game for Class C. The winner of this game would be our matchup for the next day. It was our neighbors, South Seneca, playing Port Jefferson out of Long Island. We knew South Seneca was tough, being the defending Class C state champs from last year. The game was intense and South Seneca played so hard, but when the final buzzer sounded it was Port Jefferson with the win.

"Heading back to our hotel that night, we couldn't stop thinking about playing Port Jeff. The matchups and plays were running through our heads. Sunday morning came and it was go time. We packed our bags and piled on the bus, planning on being the next Class C state champs when we got back on. When the time came to suit up, you could feel the nerves and butterflies. We knew this game was a big deal and we didn't want to let ourselves, our coaches or any one of you down. Not to mention, we didn't want to let our seniors down."

She then praised the two seniors, Mikenna Ayers ("one of the most positive and supportive teammates I've ever had") and Amanda Pike: "I'm so happy that we were all able to put our work in and hold up our end to get you this title. Be proud of what you've done."

"Anyway, back to the game," Bond said. "Immediately after tipoff, we were doing great. We got five points up on the board in only a few minutes and we kept the tenacity high on defense. However, we started getting in foul trouble, had to go back into a half-court defense, and that's when Port Jeff started to take the lead. Every time it seemed like we were closing the gap, they'd hit a 3 or get an and-one on us. We were fighting, but it seemed like everything turned against us. The fourth quarter came and we were down by 16.

"The crowd was loud and we weren't giving up. We knew what we could do in eight minutes and gave it all we had. We went back into our full-court press and great steals were made by Pike and Hannah, who were able to get themselves or other players like Mar and Ched to the line. With around 20 seconds left, Pike was on the line and made two foul shots to tie it. Port Jeff inbounded and due to great hustle, Mariah forced a Port Jeff player into a travel turnover. Coach called a timeout and that advanced us to half court.

"As usual, she drew up a play. It was intended for Pike if she was open on the wing but if not, Hannah would be in charge of taking it to the basket. The crowd was going wild by this point, but we never lost focus. With 8 seconds left Pike inbounded it and was instantly guarded from receiving the ball back. So Hannah got past not one, not two, but three defenders and took the purest raindrop shot while running baseline. I stood under the basket as the ball bounced around, and it felt like the world stopped. As the buzzer sounded it fell in and the gym erupted with fans cheering. Our whole team stormed the court ...

"Instant tears of joy flooded our eyes. We did it, we are the state champs. In that last quarter we scored 28 points to Port Jefferson's 10. It was like we were out of a movie. After getting awards and interviews were finished, it was those of you who came up to see us who really made the moment special. The support was overwhelming and we couldn't be any more thankful, for all of the fans, family and friends who had our backs. And also a big thank you to the support and escorts from Ovid, Hector, Burdett and Watkins as we made our way back for the celebration. Furthermore, a big shout-out to Nan Fraboni (of the Sports Boosters, and mother of one of the players, Makenna Fraboni), who is like a mother to me and someone who made that celebration happen and provided us so many snacks for the bus ride.

"All in all, I'd like to finish by saying this is one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life. I can't thank these girls and coaches enough for everything they've done. I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else. There was so much more I could've said and so many memories to cherish and jokes to tell, but I'll end with this message to all of you athletes who are going to have the chance to do something great like this one day: Remember, you are your biggest enemy. If you say you can't, you never will. If you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect anyone else will? You control your fate. Give it all you've got and you can do anything you set your mind to. I see a bright future ahead for Watkins Glen athletes. Let this title motivate you and drive you. Nothing is impossible."

Photos in text:

Top: Hannah Morse left, and Amanda Pike sign their Walk of Fame stars.
Second: Coach Alicia Learn, carrying the state championship plaque, greets one of the many young students on hand for Wednesday's celebration.
Third: Assistant Coach Ralph Diliberto presents his speech.
Fourth: The team concludes the celebration with a circle cheer. (Photo by Don Romeo)
Fifth: Emmie Bond presents her speech.
Sixth: The players greet young Watkins Glen students after the celebration.
Seventh: Coach Alicia Learn is flanked by the team's two seniors, Mikenna Ayers, left, and Amanda Pike. (Photo by Don Romeo)
Eighth: The Sports Boosters' Nancy Fraboni and daughter Makenna, who is a member of the state championship team.
Ninth: Boys cross country coach John Fazzary -- whose team won a state championship in the fall, was introduced and greeted by the girls basketball team. (Photo by Don Romeo)

The WGHS cheerleaders led the student body in some cheers at Wednesday's asssembly.

The Watkins Glen basketball players and coaches signed their Walk of Fame stars during Wednesday's gathering. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Conlin Wysocki sings "Amie" at Wednesday's concert, with his sister Melonie joining in.

Artists-in-residence concert features musical talents of many WGHS students

WATKINS GLEN, March 8, 2017 -- Student musicians from the 7th through 12th grades took the stage at the Watkins Glen High School auditorium Wednesday night for a concert demonstrating their abilities and what they had learned from three visiting artists.

For the past several weeks, artists-in-residence Rosie Newton, Jesse Heasly and Katie McShane worked with student musicians at the school to develop their musical performance skills. A number of students spent class and lunch periods working individually with the artists to prepare pieces for the concert, which was free and open to the public.

Both Newton and McShane -- each of whom has participated as an artist-in-residence at WGHS for several years -- enthused about the students and the experience. "We enjoy coming here," said Newton, with McShane adding: "We're rocking tonight."

Newton attended Ithaca College for viola performance, and now spends her time touring internationally with various Americana and folk rock bands. She lives in Trumansburg, where she recently returned from two weeks of touring in the United Kingdom. She can be found playing music locally, too.

Heasly is a graduate of the New England Conservatory, where he studied jazz bass performance. He is an active touring bassist in the New England area. Tredici Bacci, a band he helped create, has been featured in The Rolling Stone and The New Yorker.

McShane has a degree in music education from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in contemporary music improvisation from New England Conservatory. In addition to teaching, she composes music for various ensembles and performs with several touring bands, playing many different instruments.

All three were on stage with the students Wednesday night, as well as during an assembly during school hours. They provided backup music as well as encouragement for the evening's musicians.

The artists' roll is an extension of the twenty annual visits paid by Ithaca bassist Hank Roberts, who worked with students at the old Middle School before the program was enlarged and moved to the high school -- and handed off by Roberts to Newton and McShane.

Wednesday's concert began with a performance -- by teacher Travis Durfee and the resident artists -- of an original song by Durfee titled "Crockpot Squirrel." Next came performances by:

--Kacey Samuels singing "Valerie."
--Gaetano Williams singing "Unsteady."
--Katherine Larson and Kelsey Kernan singing "Count on Me."
--Annika Wickham and Allie Gibson performing an instrumental piece, "The Judge."
--Katlyn Kernan singing "Titanium."
--Miranda Rodriguez and Enqi Lin singing "Everything Has Changed."
--Jack Muir singing "Miserable at Best," accompanying himself on guitar.
--John Reed, with Simon Wigmore on drums, playing his own original instrumental piece, "A Greater Journey."
--Nikole VanDyke singing "I Pray For You."
--Wyatt and brother Wrett Brower, with Wyatt providing vocals, performing "You Don't Love Me Anymore."
--Claudia Parker performing an instrumental, "Chasing Cars," on piano.
--Scott Brubaker singing "Just the Way You Are."
--Serafina Lopresti singing "Bring It On Home To Me."
--Kayla Palmer performing "You Could Be Happy" on flute.
--Caleb Rozell singing "Huntin', Fishin', And Lovin' Every Day," accompanying himself on guitar.
--Shannon Alger singing "Hallelujah."
--Nicole Price performing the instrumental "Say You Won't Let Go" on piano.
--Alix Matthews singing his original "Bottle of Jack," with Kris Ayers on drums.
--Alexis Atchie singing "Work Song."
--Savannah Ayers singing "Piece by Piece."
--Melonie Wysocki and Kellie Memoli singing "Free Fallin'"
--Various performers from the night's acts gathering onstage for a group song, "Jolene."
--William Yeater singing "Impossible Year."
--Sierra Morris singing "A Thousand Years."
--Aidan DeBolt singing "Blackbird," accompanying himself on guitar.
--Conlin Wysocki singing "Amie," with his sister Melonie singing backup.
--All of the performers gathering in front of the stage to sing "What a Wonderful World."

Photos in text:

Top: Wyatt (right) and Wrett Brower, performing "You Don't Love Me Anymore."
Second: Kelsey Kernan, right, and Katherine Larson after singing a duet.
Third: Allie Gibson, left, and Annika Wickham performing an instrumental duet.
Fourth: Serafina Lopresti sings "Bring It On Home To Me."
Bottom: One of the artists-in-residence, Rosie Newton, performing at the concert.

Left: Scott Brubaker sings "Just the Way You Are." Right: Aidan DeBolt performs.

Left: Claudia Parker performs "Chasing Cars." Right: Gaetano Williams sings "Unsteady."

Left: Kacey Samuels sings "Valerie," with artist-in-residence Jesse Heasly in the background. Right: Jack Muir sings "Miserable at Best."

Left: Katlyn Kernan sings "Titanium." Right: Nicole Price performs at the piano.

Left: Willliam Yeater sings "Impossible Year," with artist-in-residence Katie McShane in the background. Right: Shannon Alger sings "Hallelujah."

Left: Sierra Morris sings "A Thousand Years." Right: Caleb Rozell performs.

WG Alumni Association offers scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 2, 2017 -- The Watkins Glen High School Alumni Association, Inc. will once again present its annual scholarships to three graduating seniors.

The Association was formed in 2006 to support the annual alumni banquet, recognize distinguished alumni, award scholarships and build a community of Watkins Glen graduates.

Since 2007, the association has awarded more than $41,000 to Watkins Glen High School seniors at the Alumni Banquet. Three students are selected each year to receive awards of up to $6,000.

Interested Watkins Glen High School seniors are invited to apply for this year’s scholarships. Scholarship criteria and all necessary application documents are available at the association’s website, www.watkinsglenalumni.org. Each applicant’s submission must be postmarked no later than May 1. The completed application with all criteria included should be mailed to:

WGHS Alumni Association
Attn: Scholarship Committee
301 12th Street
Watkins Glen, New York 14891

After the deadline, the scholarship awards committee will select eligible applicants to interview. Following the interview process, three individuals will be selected by the association to receive the scholarships. Recipients will be notified in writing. Attendance at the Alumni Banquet is required.

This year’s banquet will be held on Saturday, June 24 at the Watkins Glen Community Center. Social time will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the announcement of this year’s scholarship recipients and the presentation of distinguished alumni awards. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Questions may be directed to Peggy Scott, association president, at peggsctt@yahoo.com or by telephone at 546-8268.

Information meeting set on capital project

Special to The Odessa File

WATKiNS GLEN, March 1, 2017 -- Residents of the Watkins Glen Central School District can learn more about a proposed $12.6 million capital project at an informational meeting at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, March 6, as part of a regular School Board session in the district office board room.

Taxpayers in the district will be asked to vote on the proposed project from noon to 8 p.m. March  28 in the district office board room.

The proposed project was developed by Hunt Engineers, Architects and Surveyors at the request of the Board of Education. According to Superintendent Tom Phillips, the timing of the project allows the district to take advantage of the retirement of the debt from the $36 million project completed in 2000. The current state-aid level for capital improvement is 80.9 percent. With the retirement of the debt and the use of capital reserves, there will be no increased tax impact for the proposed improvements and renovations, say school officials.

There are several areas the district plans to address with the capital project. The original Elementary School building was constructed in 1951, with an addition in 1958. Areas of the building, officials say, are in need of updates and renovation.

In addition, the Field House, Elementary addition and High School addition completed in 2000 are quickly approaching a 20-year anniversary. Those areas, along with other identified areas, will need complete roof replacement as the warranty will expire, school officials note.

The district also plans to install artificial turf surfaces on the main stadium field and the infields of both the baseball and softball fields. The artificial surfaces, school officials say, will remedy several issues related to current fields. A particular issue, they say, is the inability of the fields to drain. This, the officials say, occasionally makes the fields unplayable and unsafe. "These artificial surfaces will ensure optimum use year-round for both school and community use," says a press release.

In addition, the district plans to expand the tennis courts and add lighting.

B.C. Cate to offer full-day 3-year-old PreK

MONTOUR FALLS, March 1 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to attend a full-day three-year-old Pre-Kindergarten program at B.C. Cate Elementary School this September.

If your child resides in the Odessa-Montour Central School District and will be three years old on or before December 1, 2017, he/she is eligible for this program.

To express interest in the full-day three-year-old Pre-Kindergarten program, call the school at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Friday, March 24.

B.C. Cate to offer full-day UPK in fall

MONTOUR FALLS, March 1 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to attend a full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program at B.C. Cate Elementary School this September.

If your child resides in the Odessa-Montour Central School District and will be four years old on or before December 1, 2017, he/she is eligible for this program.

To express interest in the full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, call the school at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Friday, March 24.

B.C. Cate schedules kindergarten sign-ups

MONTOUR FALLS, March 1 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to begin Kindergarten at the B.C. Cate Elementary School in September 2017. A child is eligible if he/she will be five years old on or before December 1, 2017.

Kindergarten registration is scheduled for May 1-5. Parents will need to bring their child, child’s birth certificate, proof of residency and proof of child’s immunizations.

If you did not receive a letter in February, please call the B. C. Cate office at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Thursday, March 24 to be sure your child is on the roster and to schedule an appointment for your child’s kindergarten screening.

Watkins freshmen hold Medieval Fair

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 14 -- Freshmen at Watkins Glen High School recreated the sights and sounds of Medieval times Tuesday in the school Field House.

Students have been studying the Medieval period for several weeks and demonstrated their knowledge at the fair by making a presentation on some aspect of life in the Middle Ages.

Events included workshops on Medieval music and drama, demonstrations of archery and combat, a falconer, crafts and food.

*******


Photo in text: Junior Jazmin Shea gets a close-up look at an owl during the Medieval Fair held at WGHS. (Photo provided)

A color-coded chart on display at the School Board meeting outlined the classroom work being planned. The dark tan that predominates refers to classroom improvements at the elementary school (center and lower left) and the high school/middle school (upper left).

Glen School Board OKs capital project

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 6, 2017 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night unanimously approved a $12.64 million capital project to be voted on by district residents on March 28.

The project, outlined for the board by Jeffrey Robbins, Director of Architecture for Hunt Engineers, has four phases, the first two of which Robbins said contain "a large amount of work focused on the elementary school," much of it on condition upgrades.

The highest profile portion of the project, though, is an athletic field update (pictured above) that would, if the project is approved, include a synthetic turf football field, and turf infields for both the softball and baseball programs. The outfields would remain natural grass.

The turf installations are an outgrowth of research, said Superintendent Tom Phillips, that shows the fields -- uneven surfaces with frequent drainage issues -- are undergirded by "a DOT (Department of Transportation) dump" that includes concrete and steel refuse. "We tried hard to bring the fields up to snuff," he said, but found it would require "excavating the whole area" to do so properly and still maintain a natural grass surface. It makes mores sense, Phillips suggested, to do what the project envisions: add a layer of playing surface with synthetic turf instead.

Exterior work would also include an update of lighting at the athletic field bleachers, with increased light extending to the area east of the main field; a tennis court added to the four that exist, pavement of a utility access road, playground resurfacing improvements, and the addition of two basketball courts, one behind the high school for older kids and one behind the elementary school for younger ones. (Those basketball courts, said Phillips, are being covered by funds unused in the previous, $24 million capital project.)

The work at the Elementary School, the superintendent noted, is self-explanatory, the building having been built back in 1951 and expanded in 1958. It is in natural need of improvements.

Work on the roof -- Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the project -- stems from a need to correct material breakdowns that will, if not handled soon, extend beyond warranty coverage.

Underlining all of this, Hunt's Robbins said, is the fact that the project "will have no tax impact." A total of 80.9% is state aidable under current State Education Department offerings. The rest comes from the district's Capital Reserve Fund and "existing capital aid." Two board members, asked after the meeting what would happen if the project were rejected by voters, said that in such a case, much of it would be mandated down the road by the state, with no guarantee as to what state aid might then be available.

Photos in text: Drawing highlights the planned turf fields (the tan infield areas on the baseball and softball fields would be turf, too); a timeline of the project; Hunt Director of Architecture Jeffrey Robbins, with chart on the far right delineating roof replacement work -- the purple being Phase 3 of the capital project (with warranty expiring in 2021) and the green being Phase 4 (a 2023 warranty end).

Spring Water Aerobics classes offered

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Feb. 8 -- Odessa-Montour Central School (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) and Watkins Glen Central School (“Aqua Aerobics”) will soon host the next sessions of water aerobics classes.

Everyone over 18 is welcome. Odessa-Montour’s sessions begin Monday, February 27 and run for seven weeks, with Thursday classes beginning March 2; classes run 7- 8 p.m. The next session at Watkins Glen Central School begins Tuesday, March 21 for seven sessions; classes run from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

All classes need sufficient registered participants to be scheduled, so to ensure that the classes are scheduled, registrations are needed soon.

All sessions are $7 per class; walk-ins are welcome, too. Call 607-739-8170 or 739-7905, or register online at www.gstboces.org.

Classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

School Board approves special-session resolution related to DeVos confirmation

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 31, 2017 -- The Watkins Glen School Board, meeting in special session Tuesday morning, approved a resolution, 4-3, designed to express concern about the pending confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education.

The session had been called with the urging of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association, which had submitted a sample resolution that took DeVos to task by name, saying she and "her track record are antithetical to public education," and that "if confirmed, she poses a threat to students' access to affordable, quality higher education." A note to the Board from WGFA President Travis Durfee requesting the meeting also referred to DeVos as "uniquely unfit to serve as Education Secretary." (One board member said the idea for the meeting and resolution was self-generated; two others credited Durfee's efforts.)

Nonetheless, the board resolution-- passed after extensive discussion -- makes no mention of DeVos by name.

"The WGCSD," said Durfee in a statement later in the day, "took action today as the U.S. Senate considered Betsy DeVos as the secretary of education. Two dozen school districts statewide have adopted resolutions against Betsy DeVos as secretary of education. A full 86% of board members polled by the state's School Boards Association opposed her nomination. We had hoped to give high fives to the Watkins Glen School Board today for sharing our disapproval of the DeVos nomination, and instead we share a handshake for their strong statement in support of public education. Kudos to the members of the Watkins Glen School Board who affirmed the resolution and voiced their support for public schools."

According to a meeting summary published by the District, board members "Keith Caslin and Mark Franzese spoke about their concern about the upcoming resolution," with the board having "a spirited lengthy discussion related to the consideration of this motion and the question" of whether it should be "a practice of the board to consider taking action relating to a political issue."

The approved board resolution, titled Watkins Glen Central School Board of Education Resolution in Support of the American System of Public Education, reads as follows:

"WHEREAS, concern has been raised regarding the future should our government place significant support for privatization of our American system of public education to an extent that would channel funds away from our public schools where most students attend; and

"WHEREAS, our State and Federal Government should consider meaningful connection with public schools when choosing administrators of public education funds; and

"WHEREAS, student access to affordable, quality education at every level from pre- school and elementary school through higher education should be a priority of our American system of public education, and

"WHEREAS, respect for civil rights and the Constitution’s separation of church and state is essential to the future of the American system of public education.

"RESOLVED, that Watkins Glen Central School Board of Education supports the American system of public education at every level as noted and requests that the representatives of this school district on the local, State and National level endorse only policies and public officials that are committed to its continued integrity."

Board members opposed to the resolution were Caslin, Franzese and Barb Schimizzi.

Statements by Board members Keith Caslin and Mark Franzese in opposition to the resolution can be found on Forum.

Minnier honored as Student of Month

Special to
The Odessa File

HORSEHEADS, Jan. 5 -- Daniel Minnier, an Odessa-Montour High School junior in the Conservation program, has been selected as a Career and Technical Education Program Student of the Month for November at the GST BOCES Bush Education Center.

Conservation Instructor Valerie Kimmerly said that in addition to his excellent grades and perfect attendance, Daniel displays a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. “Dan takes the opportunity to help others before he is asked to,” she said. “He is a go-to student who we can count on to complete a task well and in a timely fashion.”

The Student of the Month is selected by a committee of CTE staff based on nominations.

Photo in text: Daniel Minnier (center), a junior in the Conservation program, accepts the Student of the Month award from Instructor Valerie Kimmerly (left) and CTE Assistant Principal Rob Sherburne. (Photo provided)

Watkins School Board discusses safety, hears from mother of special-needs boy

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 3 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Tuesday night discussed the need for having trained medical personnel at sporting events, and heard some critical words from the mother of a special-needs student at the high school.

The medical issue was raised by board member Barb Schimizzi, who thought it prudent to have trained personnel present at sporting events to treat injuries. Superintendent Tom Phillips noted that the school had had a person available through an agreement with Schuyler Hospital, but that it was no longer in effect.

While coaches are trained in first aid and CPR, Schimizzi said, it seems wise to have someone on hand with professional training. Discussion then focused on which events, and how cost is a factor. It was pointed out that ambulance personnel are on hand at high-impact sports such as football and wrestling.

Ultimately, Phillips said he would meet with Athletic Director Rod Weeden to formulate a proposal for board consideration.

The board also, at the meeting's outset, heard from the mother of a special-needs student at the high school who was unhappy with the way that school administrators have handled her son's situation -- in particular a recent series of events in which she had hoped he would be part of the swim team.

Her statement -- to which Board President Kelly McCarthy said "I'm sure we'll look into the issues" -- follows:

"For those who do not know who I am, my name is Danielle Matthews and my son is Steven Cinelli, who is an 8th grader. The reason I decided to come here tonight is simple. I recently contacted several different individuals to discuss my son being on the swim team. He is a special-needs student with respite care at home, so I thought we could utilize his program from home to get him involved in a school sport. I talked with the necessary individuals, explaining that our program at home would be paying for the respite worker, and also asked if we could drive him instead of riding in a van due to personal/medical issues which I voiced my concerns about. I was told this was a great idea and we would get a meeting together to finalize the details.

"Through the weeks I heard that there was an issue with my respite worker being the one with him. So I called to find out what was going on. During that conversation I found out I didn't get to decide who took my son to the swim team because it was an extension of the school day. I was told that if we were in a big school district this wouldn't even be a discussion because he would have already been cut from the team. I was also told that he would have to ride the van to be on the swim team. Now as a parent, how would you take this conversation? First we are fighting over who works with him when another program is paying for it, and then when that seemed absurd another obstacle I specifically said was going to be an issue was thrown in -- when my understanding was that last year parents drove the kids themselves and asked that transportation be offered this year.

"I haven't come to argue tonight because I voluntarily decided to stop moving forward with trying to get him on the team. After I made that decision I received a phone call that he didn't have to ride the van. Seemed a little after the fact by now since I already said we wouldn't be moving forward with the team. I felt through this whole process as if my son was not wanted on the team for whatever reason. And that is why I chose to stop moving forward.

"A few individuals have reached out and taken it upon themselves to get Steven involved in different activities -- which has shown me that our community cares more about getting my son involved then the administrators do. You should be ashamed that the people running this school are fighting a special needs parent instead of embracing these students to be as involved as possible. And this isn't the first time! I have been made to feel like my son is a burden on this school.

"Mr. Phillips, you said it yourself to me four years ago during a meeting. Your exact words were "Do you know how much those special needs kids cost us?" Imagine if this was your child and you were told you weren't allowed to make decisions or if obstacles were thrown in their way. I know some individuals will make excuses for some of their comments or say they didn't say that. This isn't a battle over he said, she said. I'm here tonight with my next issue.

"I don't know how aware you are of special education, but typically a student stays in school until he or she is 21, but I want to start moving forward with having him graduate at 18 since through the years of fighting for anything extra I have been reminded time and time again that "money" or "politics" will always prevent my son from being anything more then a standard Special Ed student who sits in a classroom filling his day with stuff that will not change his future. I'm a very involved parent and I want to put something in perspective to you all. Recently Steven was given a salary for at-home care while being a full-time student of $45,000! If that's what the state is giving for minimal care at home for part-time hours since he is still in school, let's take a minute to think about what funding you are getting for him to be in school. Or furthermore, how much more funding he could receive while he is no longer a student.

"I would rather be able to be part of a team who gets to make decisions on how to better my son's future rather then hear I'm not allowed to make any decisions because he costs you too much money! I want more for him. I want what any parent would want. The only way I see that happening is if I rid your budget of him. We will be having a meeting in the near future to discuss this topic and I hope I can have the support of the board if not administrators to allow my son to have a future of endless goals. Not one based off a dollar amount."

Photos in text:

Top: Board members Mark Franzese, left, and Keith Caslin at Tuesday's meeting.
Bottom: Superintendent Tom Phillips and Board President Kelly McCarthy during Tuesday's session.

For a district summary of the School Board meeting, click here.

O-M receives Cargill equipment grant

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Jan. 1, 2017 -- Science students at Odessa-Montour will soon be using state-of-the-art technology thanks to a grant from Cargill.

Teacher Laurel Strobel wrote the grant proposal for $10,381, which will be used to purchase classroom resources and technology to implement the Advancing Science Through Technology Initiative in two STEM high school courses and one ACE science course. Equipment to be purchased will include DNA Gel Electrophoresis equipment, microscopes and Wisconsin FAST plant equipment and supplies.

“We will purchase equipment and materials that will enable our students to delve into hands-on inquiry-based learning,” said Strobel. “I am very appreciative of the support that Cargill is providing to further learning opportunities for local students in our community.”

Strobel developed a “wish list” of items she wanted for her students and was awarded the entire amount she asked for. According to Keith Klug, plant manager for Cargill in Watkins Glen, the grant is made possible by funds from the local Cargill Cares Committee at the Watkins Glen facility and matching dollars from the Cargill Global Partnership Fund.

“Every year, the Watkins Glen Cargill Cares Committee strives to make a positive impact within the communities in which we operate and our employees live,” said Klug. “Supporting this STEM-based program is in direct alignment with the philanthropic focus areas of the Cargill Global Partnership Fund -- food and nutrition security, education and environmental stewardship. On behalf of the more than 100 employees at Cargill Watkins Glen, it is an honor to be part of this exciting new classroom program.”

Photo in text: From left, Odessa-Montour Jr./Sr. High School Principal Skip McCarty, Cargill Plant Manager Keith Klug, Teacher Laurel Strobel and Cargill Cares Committee Chair Jerry Dunlavey. (Photo provided)

WG winners named in Red Ribbon contest

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec 19 -- The Council on Alcoholism & Addictions of the Finger Lakes (CAA) has announced the Red Ribbon Week contest winners from Schuyler County. Each of the four is from Watkins Glen High School.

The Red Ribbon Week Campaign has been held every October since 1988 to commemorate DEA Agent Enrique Camarena and others, who have given their lives to stop drug abuse in the U.S.

CAA offers an annual RRW contest to grades 6-12 in all schools throughout Schuyler, Yates, Seneca, Ontario and Wayne counties.

Submissions that scored 100% were placed into a random drawing for 1 of 9 prizes ranging from a laptop to tablet devices to gift cards.

The Schuyler winners are:
2nd Prize (Tablet) -- Ashley Youmans
2nd Prize (Tablet) -- Jill Cantieni
3rd Prize ($100 Gift Card) -- Zachary Naylor
4th Prize ($50 Gift Card) -- Mason Neira

"Thank you to all of the Watkins Glen students who participated, and to the school and family members who support them," said Gretchen Silliman, Schuyler Educator, Council on Alcoholism & Addictions.

Photo in text:
Left to right back: Zach Naylor, Mason Neira, Ashley Youmans, Jill Cantieni, WGHS Principal Kai D’Alleva.
Left to right front: Pete Frei and Gretchen Silliman (Council), and Margaret Swinnerton (WG health teacher).

Odessa-Montour receives Cargill grant

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Dec. 6 -- Science students at Odessa-Montour High School will soon be using state-of-the-art technology thanks to a grant from Cargill.

Teacher Laurel Strobel wrote the grant proposal for $10,380, which will be used to purchase classroom resources and technology to implement the Advancing Science Through Technology Initiative in two STEM high school courses and one ACE science course. Equipment to be purchased will include DNA Gel Electrophoresis equipment, microscopes and Wisconsin FAST plant equipment and supplies.

“We will purchase equipment and materials that will enable our students to delve into hands-on inquiry-based learning,” said Strobel. “I am very appreciative of the support that Cargill is providing to further learning opportunities for local students in our community.”

Strobel developed a “wish list” of items she wanted for her students and was awarded the entire amount she asked for. According to Keith Klug, plant manager for Cargill in Watkins Glen, the grant is made possible by funds from the local Cargill Cares Committee at the Watkins Glen facility and matching dollars from the Cargill Global Partnership Fund.

“Every year, the Watkins Glen Cargill Cares Committee strives to make a positive impact within the communities in which we operate and our employees live,” said Klug. “Supporting this STEM-based program is in direct alignment with the philanthropic focus areas of the Cargill Global Partnership Fund -- food and nutrition security, education and environmental stewardship. On behalf of the more than 100 employees at Cargill Watkins Glen, it is an honor to be part of this exciting new classroom program.”

Representatives from Cargill will present a check to Strobel and her students at a ceremony at O-M on Friday, December 9 at 10 a.m.

O-M seeking 3-year-olds for Pre-K

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Dec. 1, 2016 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District will offer a curriculum-based Pre-Kindergarten program for district 3-year-olds beginning in early January 2017. In November, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that Odessa-Montour will receive $266,217 in New York State funding to expand its current UPK program.

The full-day program will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at B.C. Cate Elementary School. Parents will be responsible for transporting students to and from school, as transportation will not be provided by the district.

The 3-year-old program can accommodate 15 students. If you are interested in enrolling your child, contact the B.C. Cate office at 535-7267 between Dec. 1 and 21. If more than 15 students are on the list after this period, a lottery will be held to select enrollees.

The National Honor Society at O-M. New inductees are in the front row. (Photo provided)

14 at O-M join National Honor Society

ODESSA, Dec. 1 -- Fourteen Odessa-Montour High School students were inducted Wednesday night into the O-M chapter of the National Honor Society in a ceremony in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

Joining the Honor Society were junior Cheyenne Barrett and sophomores Mckenzie Barrett, Noah Brewster, Tyler Carson, Hunter Daugherty, Olivia Grover, Kennedey Heichel, Jacy Knapp, McKennah Lott, Hannah Rosier, Maria Scata, Nadia Simpson, Syria Tague and Jacqulyn Vincent.

Candles at the traditional lighting portion of the ceremony were ignited by members Emelia Paulisczak, Collin Povoski, Gillian Clark and Hailey Perraut. The narrator was Erin Kleist.

Senior Alyssa Crout is the chapter president. Gillian Clark is vice president, Nick Sgrecci treasurer, and Erin Kleist secretary. Advisors are Holly Campbell and Sadye Halpin.

Photo in text: Part of the traditional candle lighting ceremony. (File photo)

The school's state-champion cross country team was honored by the School Board. From left: Athletic Director Rod Weeden, Sam Thorsland, Sam Hanley, Sean Holland, Kai Sutterby (who was the lone girl from Watkins Glen to run in the state tournament), Patrick Hazlitt, Shawn Rutledge, Daniel Paradiso, Jacob Carocci, Gabe Planty, Aaron Planty and Coach John Fazzary.

Glen School Board hires consultant for superintendent search; XC team honored

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 21 -- The Watkins Glen School Board has approved a contract with Vincent J. Coppola to serve as consultant during the upcoming search for a superintendent to succeed the retiring Tom Phillips.

The decision came at Monday night's board meeting, after a half-hour executive session called to discuss that search. Coppola will receive $13,000 for the job, which will continue until the search process is completed.

Coppola, a former superintendent in the Corning School District, is part of the Western New York Education Service Council at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Phillips said Coppola has been involved in superintendent searches for 18 years.

The board also:

--Honored the school's boys varsity cross country team, which won the New York State Class C and Federation meet titles. Each of nine boys was presented a certificate by Athletic Director Rod Weeden, as was the lone member of the girls team to advance to States, Kai Sutterby. The team was to be honored the next morning at 8:30 in a schoolwide assembly in the WGHS Field House.

--Discussed, without resolution, a request by the International Motor Racing Research Center for access from the school's Elementary School road entrance -- the extension of 15th Street -- to a planned parking area at the rear of the Center expansion to be built on property that was formerly a school playground. The land was purchased by the Center several years ago from the school district for expansion purposes.

Board members had fire code and easement reservations, and wanted to see the property in person before considering the request. Superintendent Tom Phillips said he was merely passing it along. "It's not my battle," he said. "They brought it to me. It's up to the board. Do what you want."

--Discussed a list of possible projects to be incorporated into a capital project the board has indicated it wants to put before the voters for a referendum in the spring. Key among the projects, board member Keith Caslin has urged, is renovation of the elementary school.

Phillips told board members that for a spring vote to take place, they would have to move quickly. He urged them to decide soon which of the projects they want included, and to meet with architects and engineers in December.

"It seems so soon," board member Gloria Brubacker said, prompting Phillips to respond: "If the board doesn't want to go forward, it's no skin off of me."

But board members, led by Caslin, indicated they would whittle down the list, and revisit the issue at their next meeting, set for Dec. 5.

Photos in text:

Top: School Board members Kris Clarkson and Gloria Brubaker.
Middle: Cross country team member Patrick Hazlitt receives a certificate from Athletic Director Rod Weeden.
Bottom: Superintendent Tom Phillips with the cross country team's state championship plaque, right, and its Federation championship plaque.

Holland backers urge board's support

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 8, 2016 -- The Watkins Glen School Board heard a plea Monday night from the Schuyler County Youth Football Association in support of the head coach of the Seneca Indians varsity football team, Trevor Holland.

Spokesmen for the team said they were concerned that Holland -- who just completed his first season at the helm of the Seneca Indians, the combined Watkins Glen High School and Odessa-Montour football squad -- was not being fairly considered as he seeks a second year as coach. His first season ended in a 1-7 record, and that, his supporters said -- combined with "some conflict" during the season and what they suggested was a poor relationship between Holland and the outgoing superintendent, Tom Phillips -- might work against him.

The Youth Football Association Executive Board and Board of Directors, in a statement, said Holland is "of the highest caliber" as "person and coach " and "exemplifies the very nature of what a Coach should be." Holland was integral in starting and developing the Youth Football League before moving on to the varsity level, "and still contributes his time" with the league, said one supporter.

"He has always displayed the utmost integrity and commitment to the football program with the two school districts," the statement said, and "has always dedicated his personal time to enhance and further the football program both for our organization and for the Seneca Indians. Trevor Holland is a world-class individual and brings many talents which will only benefit our community."

The statement urged that both districts "provide unconditional support" of Holland, and said that Holland "is best suited for the long-term success of the football program for both our organization and yours."

Board President Kelly McCarthy said there was "a process" that is always followed in naming a coach, which is a one-year appointment, and that accordingly any perceived delay is because of the process "and doesn't mean any sitting coaches will be removed." Holland, as a member of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association, has claim over the job as opposed to a non-member, board members said, and would be subject to the interview process only if another member wanted the job.

When an association member asked if Holland had even been asked "if he wants to come back," board member Keith Caslin responded: "There have been conversations."

In other business:

--The board heard from four 7th grade students -- Kara Sheesley, Bailey Beaumont, Kellie Memoli and Mason Lampman-Roisen -- about the plan of their class, led by teacher Tammy Kellogg, to raise funds for the ongoing effort to improve water availability in South Sudan. A Kellogg-led class two years ago raised $15,000 (in just four months) for construction of a well in South Sudan, where contaminated water is a major contributor to disease and death.

This time, said Kellogg, the students hope to raise between $5,000 and $7,000 "over a longer period of time," perhaps handing off the project for completion by next year's 7th graders. Funds would be raised through donations, bakes sales, T-shirt sales and other means.

The Board quickly and unanimously approved the fund-raising effort.

--Caslin and board member Barb Schimizzi apologized to the Watkins Glen Sports Boosters, criticized at a board meeting last month for its plan to jettison the seasonal award program held in the school cafeteria -- a decision made for a number reasons outlined by the Boosters in a subsequent letter. (See the Forum page.)

Caslin said he has learned that the Boosters' decision was explained months ago in a missive to the board that was "not relayed. There was a communications breakdown." He said that in investigating the situation, he found that the Boosters have long provided services "I didn't know they'd done," and that he hopes "they continue their good work."

Schimizzi, who had raised the awards issue at that previous meeting, said she wanted to "apologize for bringing everything to the forefront before I knew all the details." But, she added, she still believes that student-athletes' achievements need to be recognized, and "we will do something for them."

--The Board gave its support to Caslin to study the need for renovations in the coming years in various parts of the district's buildings -- including the elementary school, the bus garage, the high school and the athletic field. Add to that, Phillips said, the existing school roof that was part of the capital project in the year 2000. The roof leaked in a number of areas during a recent heavy rainstorm, leaving behind minor damage. Warranty on the work goes until 2020, he said, so that should "take you to the project" envisioned by Caslin.

Once all of the details and needs are gathered, said Caslin, such a project could be put to the voters, and assuming approval, could then be submitted to the state. Completion of the project could take years, he added, so "this is the right time to do it. Now it the time to move forward."

Photos in text:

Top: Seneca Indians head football coach Trevor Holland confers with his quarterback.
Middle: 7th graders (from left) Kara Sheesley, Bailey Beaumont, Kellie Memoli and Mason Lampman-Roisen presented a plan to raise funds that could help improve South Sudan water. The board approved.
Bottom: Board member Keith Caslin at Monday night's meeting.

O-M grad Ross named to Dean's List

Special to The Odessa File

HOUGHTON, NY, Oct. 31, 2016 -- Kate Ross, a 2015 graduate of Odessa-Montour High School, has made the Dean's List at Houghton College for the Spring 2016 term.

She is in her second year there, majoring in Intercultural Studies. This past summer she spent a month in Beijing, China teaching English to Business majors.

To be named to the Dean's List, a student must maintain full-time status and achieve a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher for the semester.

Water Aerobics classes offered at schools

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Oct. 25 -- What’s better than a little fun in the water during winter’s dark days? Odessa-Montour Central School (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) and Watkins Glen Central School (“Aqua Aerobics”) are hosting the next sessions of water aerobics classes, and registration time is upon us.

Everyone over 18 is welcome. Odessa-Montour’s sessions begin Monday, November 14 and run for 9 weeks, with Thursday classes beginning November 17, 2016; classes run 7-8 p.m.

The next session at Watkins Glen Central School begins Tuesday, November 1, for seven sessions; classes run from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

All classes need sufficient registered participants to be scheduled, so register now to ensure that these classes are scheduled! All sessions are $7 per class; walk-ins are welcome, too. Register online at www.gstboces.org or call 607-739-8170 or 739-7905.

The classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

Planning Retreat on drug abuse scheduled

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 26, 2016 -- The Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs’ annual Fall Planning Retreat will be held Monday, November 14 from 3-5 p.m. at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

RSVPs are required by November 1 by calling 607-535-8129. This year’s presenters include Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph G. Fazzary and Schuyler Teens against Alcohol, Nicotine, and other Drugs (STAND).

Fazzary will be presenting on the State of Drug Use in Schuyler County.

“I have been District Attorney for nearly 20 years now," he says. "During that tenure, I have seen nearly every illegal drug in existence used and sold in this county. Over the last year, it is clear that the use of opioids is on the rise, which is of great concern to me. Heroin is killing people all around us. It is causing otherwise good people to commit crimes. This is something that, as a community, we need to address before our citizens start dying. Slowly, law enforcement is getting a handle on this problem, but we need to, and can, do more.”

STAND will be presenting on the Medicine Safety Youth Educators Program. Research has shown that youth begin to self-medicate around the age of 11. By the age of 16, it shows, about 90% of youth report self-administering over-the-counter (OTC) medications. If not equipped with the proper knowledge, mistakes can happen. Local youths Amber Updike and Kelsey Kernan were trained to be peer leaders and are currently educating Schuyler County 5th and 6th graders with support from their adult advisor. It is the hope of both girls that the Medicine Safety Program will have the greater impact of “helping our community by preventing any future addiction to prescription drugs.”

SCCUDD was formed in response to the Schuyler County Public Health Department’s Community Health Assessment showing concerning youth outcomes. Part of this Assessment included a public opinion survey that showed the number one health concern of Schuyler County residents was the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. The mission of SCCUDD is to prevent, reduce and delay the onset of substance use among Schuyler County youth by collaborating with community partners, promoting prevention education and substance-free activities, and implementing environmental strategies.

SCCUDD’s vision is a connected community where youth have education, resources, and drug-free options to help their journey to become happy, healthy adults. For more information, or to become involved with SCCUDD, visit SCCUDD online at www.schuylercounty.us/sccudd, or follow SCCUDD on Facebook and Twitter.

Noah Brewster performed a song, dance and trumpet routine, the show's final act.

Talent takes to the stage at O-M show

ODESSA, Oct. 21, 2016 -- Pianists, vocalists and dancers displayed their talents Friday night at a Community Talent Show staged in the Odessa-Montour High School's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The evening, which featured a bake sale and a raffle to help raise money for the O-M Fine Arts Boosters' year-long efforts at the school, was emceed by teacher Skip Strobel.

The first act, in fact, featured two young Strobel daughters, Lexi and Sarah, along with their friend Cara Reynolds, singing and dancing to the tune "I'm Gonna Catch You."

They were followed by O-M High School student Casey Underdown, playing the piano and singing "Someone Like You."

Then came Melissa Norton singing "My Immortal"; students Maddy Vogel and Alexis Ayers singing "House of Gold," accompanied on the ukulele by John Coates; Ashley Stewart and Grace Edger singing "Love Yourself," accompanied on piano by teacher Ian MacDonald; young Alex Campbell performing "Alouette" and "It's a Small World" on piano; Lilly Halpin singing "Oath"; pianist Kara Dougherty playing "You Raise Me Up"; and student Hailey Hoose, dancing on roller skates and singing "Can't Blame a Girl for Trying."

Then came an intermission, followed by several more acts:

--Singer Matt Norton, performing his own "I Don't Wanna Wait";
--LeNay Duet, a student singing Beyonce's "Pretty Hurts";
--Ben Campbell, performing three selections from "Star Wars" on piano;
--Melanie Janke, singing Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again";
--Hannah Rosier, singing "Home" from "Beauty and the Beast"; and
--Noah Brewster, dancing, playing the trumpet and singing "I Wanna Be Like You."

Photos in text:

Top: Hannah Rosier belts out "Home" from "Beauty and the Beast."
Middle: Teacher Kara Dougherty performs "You Raise Me Up."
Bottom: Ashley Stewart, left, and Grace Edger sing "Love Yourself."

From left: Cara Reynolds and sisters Lexi and Sarah Strobel perform a song-and-dance number titled "I'm Gonna Catch You."

From left: Lilly Halpin sings "Oath"; Hailey Hoose sings and dances; and John Coates accompanies Hoose on the ukulele.

Left: Matt Norton sings his own song, "I Don't Wanna Wait." Right: Ben Campbell played three selections from "Star Wars" on the piano.

Left: LeNay Duet performs Beyonce's "Pretty Hurts." Right: Alex Campbell played two tunes on the piano, "Alouette" and "It's a Small World."

Left: Casey Underdown plays the piano and sings Adele's "Someone Like You." Right: Melissa Norton sings Evanescence's "My Immortal."

Left: Alexis Ayers, left, and Maddy Vogel sing "House of Gold," accompanied on ukulele by John Coates. Right: Melanie Janke sings "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."

4 new staff members join Odessa-Montour

ODESSA, Sept. 6, 2016 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District is welcoming four new staff members this school year. They include:

-- Sarah Schneider, 5th Grade Teacher
Schneider completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education at Keuka College. She worked part-time in Special Education for the Prattsburgh Central School District and has worked as a modified tennis coach, substitute teacher and tutor.

-- Meaghan Krazinski, High School Special Education Teacher
Krazinski is a graduate of Ithaca College and Syracuse University. She completed her graduate residency in the Syracuse City School District and worked at GST BOCES as a teaching assistant and in the Ithaca City School District as a Special Education teacher.

-- Kelly Martin, 5th Grade Teacher
Martin attended elementary school in Odessa-Montour and graduated from Watkins Glen High School. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education at Canisius College. She served as a substitute teacher in the Amherst Central School District for one and one-half years and organized and ran a summer camp for Canisius College based on hands-on scientific and higher-order thinking skills.

-- Amber Nolan, 5th-6th Grade Special Education
Nolan is a 1995 graduate of Odessa-Montour. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Education from the University of Georgia and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Mansfield University. She has taught Spanish in Georgia, Maine and Corning. She also has coached swimming, basketball and track at varsity and modified levels.

Stillman earns TC3 student-athlete honor

DRYDEN, July 3 -- Odessa-Montour alum Callie Stillman is among seven Tompkins-Cortland Community College student-athletes honored with a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic Student-Athlete Award.

Stillman, a 2015 O-M graduate, earned an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, which goes to students with a grade-point average between 3.80 and 3.99. Stillman was a member of the school's women's soccer team.

SFLW awards scholarship to Stansfield

Special to
The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 29 -- The Southern Finger Lakes Women, a Chapter of New York State Women, Inc., has awarded a $500 scholarship to Watkins Glen High School graduating senior Cheyenne Stansfield. The award ceremony was held recently at the Montour Falls Moose Lodge.

Stansfield will attend Alfred State College to prepare for a career in nursing, first as an RN and then as a Nurse Practitioner. In high school she achieved a GPA of 98.99. Her extracurricular activities included volleyball, tennis, golf and cheerleading, History Club, Student Council, senior plays, Yearbook Club, Interact Club, the Business and Marketing Honor Society and National Honor Society.

New York State Women, Inc., provides members with professional development, networking, and career advancement resources. Its mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. The chapter meets on the third Monday of each month. For more information, contact Karen Stewart at (607) 535-6686.

Photo in text: Sally Rigden, SFLW Scholarship Chair, and Cheyenne Stansfield, the 2016 scholarship winner. (Photo provided)

B.C. Cate Principal Veronica Lewis removes the copper time capsule from the cornerstone.

B.C. Cate principal finds time capsule;
new capsule buried for future generations

MONTOUR FALLS, June 22 -- A 50-year-old time capsule and a new cylindrical time capsule shared top billing Wednesday as the B.C. Cate Elementary School capped off its 50th anniversary celebration.

A ceremony burying the new capsule had long been planned by Principal Veronica Lewis, to take place in a renovated courtyard at the school. The courtyard, a 2,000-square-foot space now mulch-covered and boasting several young trees, will serve from time to time as an outdoor classroom in the instruction of science.

Being essentially new, it seemed a fine place to bury the new capsule. But the ceremony was given enhanced meaning with the discovery of another time capsule -- from the days when the B.C. Cate school was being built and opening, fully a half century ago.

The conjunction of capsules past and present all started with last week's 50th anniversary rededication celebration on the B.C. Cate grounds, and culminated with Lewis being alternately disappointed and then exhilarated this week as the old, long-buried capsule -- a copper box welded shut -- was located.

Lewis, in discussion at last week's ceremony with a member of the Cate clan -- a B.C. Cate grandson, Ron White -- learned from him that there had been a time capsule buried back in the mid-1960s, with completion of the school building. It was, he told her, buried where the cornerstorne exists, near the current playground at the building's side, not far from where another playground, for kids 2 to 5, is being built. He sent Lewis e-mails of newspaper clippings in his possession from that original dedication period.

One, from the Star-Gazette of July 16, 1965, showed local officials with the cornerstone before it was placed in a hole at the base of a welcoming wall. The cornerstone was marked 1964, apparently in keeping with the start of construction; the first classes were held in September 1965.

Another article, dated August 5, 1965, says the school is located on the site where Catharinestown, "the home of Queen Catharine, once stood. It was called She-qua-gah, meaning 'the place of roaring waters.'" That settlement consisted, the article said, of "47 longhouses on both sides of Catharine Creek," a body of water that passes by the rear of the school, beyond a large berm.

A third article, dated Sept. 15 1965, details the school's dedication ceremony. It was written by Schuyler County Historian Arthur H. Richards, a newsman of local renown.

And the fourth (also from 1965), which Lewis overlooked at first, tells of the placing of the cornerstone, with a photo showing the time capsule being placed in a slot in the bottom of the stone.

*******

Principal Lewis asked the workmen creating the new playground if they could remove the cornerstone without hurting the building, and the workmen said they could, and did so on Tuesday. But after it was pulled out, there was no sign of any time capsule -- any container -- behind it.

"I was sad" at that point, Lewis told her students when they gathered Wednesday in the school cafeteria as part of the day's celebration. But that disappointment had turned to excitement again when Lewis realized that the fourth news article carried that photo of the slot in the cornerstone.

When she reached the school Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., she said, "teacher Jim Nolan helped me flip the stone, and I felt under it for the box."

She felt it there, "and then we flipped the stone to see it, and I called (Superintendent) Chris Wood," and as soon as he arrived she pulled the copper box from the cornerstone and took it to her office. It was not easily opened, though -- it had been welded shut those years ago -- and maintenance chief Kelly Cain had to puncture it and then peel it open with a metal cutter.

The ceremony in the courtyard followed, with the school kids lining the wall around the yard and some of them pitching in -- one placing the new, cylindrical capsule in a pre-dug hole and several others putting shovels full of dirt atop it. The cylinder housed such things, Lewis said, as a school menu, a class picture, a book, a Coke can, a pen used on active boards, and "lots of other really cool stuff" selected by the school's classes.

"Today is a very special day," the principal told the students, "and I hope that years from now you guys can explain what we did today." The newly found time capsule from the '60s, she noted, "tells us about history, what was going on when this building was built. We're doing the same thing today. Maybe in 50 years, little children like you will open this capsule and see what was important to you."

The new capsule was buried next to a cherry tree, and was to be covered by an engraved stone.

The group then moved to the cafeteria, with Lewis arriving with the old copper box in hand -- the time capsule from yesteryear. She sat on the floor in the middle of the room, with the kids some distance away, near the walls.

Pulling items from the old box one by one, she showed the students its 1960s contents: a teacher's handbook, an English book, a chalkboard eraser, a piece of chalk, pencils, envelopes from the old Montour Elementary School, construction paper, a news article about a custodian, a School Board meeting agenda, a swimming pool proposal, a student handbook, a crayon, a straw, a badminton shuttlecock (or birdie), a ruler, and a manila envelope full of old photos of the area that Lewis planned to display later so everyone could see them.

When it was all done, Lewis concluded with these words to her students: "This has been very exciting, my friends, and I thank you for sharing this moment with us. Maybe you can tell people about it many years in the future."

******

Photos in text:

From top: Principal Veronica Lewis holds up one of the items from the old time capsule; B.C. Cate students shovel in some dirt atop the new capsule; the new capsule before it was buried; Superintendent Chris Wood, right, and maintenance chief Kelly Cain and the hole dug to hold the modern-day time capsule; a student waters one of the trees in the renovated courtyard, which will be used occasionally as an outdoor science classroom.

B.C. Cate students lined the courtyard walls in anticipation of the ceremony marking the burial of a new time capsule -- this one a cylinder with a screw cap.

Left: Principal Lewis arrives in the cafeteria with the old time capsule. Right: Some of the contents in the '60s capsule, a copper box which had been welded shut.

2 from Schuyler are on FLCC dean's list

CANANDAIGUA, June 17 -- Two Schuyler County students were among a total of 750 full- and part-time students named to the Finger Lakes Community College dean's list for spring 2016.

The Schuyler students are Tanya Smith of Hector and Kaylyn Teemley of Montour Falls.

To be named to the dean’s list, students must have a 3.5 grade-point average.

Schuyler Scholars dinner honors 17

WATKINS GLEN, June 15 -- The 9th annual Schuyler Scholars dinner Wednesday night honored academic leaders from the Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Bradford high schools.

The event, held at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, honored seniors in the top 10% of their class. That meant 10 students from Watkins Glen, five from O-M, and two from Bradford.

Among those honored were:

Watkins Glen: Maggie Bond, Cheyenne Stansfield, Brenen Murphy, Claire McManus, Brandon Pike, Megan Chilson, Megan Hoy, Portia Wells, Emma Allington and Lucas Wickham.

Odessa-Montour: Mechel Wead, Madison Lodge, Rosemary Peckham, Olivia Scata and Logan Barrett.

Bradford: Rachael Bonning and Alexander Wood.

Speakers included Dr. Joseph Lee, interim vice president at Corning Community College, and 2014 O-M graduate Hayley Guild, now at SUNY Fredonia studying Elementary Education.

WGHS Class of 2016

The Watkins Glen High School senior class gathered outside the school for the annual senior class photo recently. Graduation will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 25 in the WGHS auditorium. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Somerville graduates from West Point

Special to The Odessa File

WEST POINT, NY, June 10 -- Cadet Brett James Somerville, son of Jim and Kristine Somerville of Watkins Glen, NY, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday, May 21.

Somerville graduated from Watkins Glen High School in 2012. While at West Point, he concentrated his studies in Engineering Psychology and has earned the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army within the Infantry branch.

The U.S. Military Academy says its mission is to "educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army."

Photo in text: Brett Somerville with his parents, Jim and Kristine Somerville. (Provided)

Haley DeNardo named to Dean's List

Special to The Odessa File

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., June 9 -- Haley DeNardo of Montour Falls, NY -- a graduate of Watkins Glen High School -- was on the spring 2016 Dean’s List at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA. She attained a 3.5 GPA as part of her architecture curriculum.

She has two years remaining to complete her Bachelor of Architecture -- a five-year, accredited program.

This summer, she is an architecture intern at KTGY in Tysons, VA. In addition, she will go abroad to Rome, Italy for the fall semester, as required of her college major and curriculum.

She is the daughter of Mike and Betty DeNardo.

Student-funded So. Sudan well completed

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 31 -- Just a year after the Watkins Glen Class of 2020 raised more than $15,000 to fund a well in South Sudan, students have received word that the well has been completed.

The Water for South Sudan Charity notified the students with a letter and photos of the completed well in the village of Bookanyara. The well includes an inscription recognizing the students for their efforts.

In the fall of 2014, the then seventh-graders read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, which tells the story of Nya, an 11-year-old girl in South Sudan who must travel two hours from her home twice a day to get the only water available for her family. The book also tells the story of Salva Dut, founder of Water for South Sudan.

After reading the story, students were inspired to take action and decided to lead the district in a fundraising campaign for the charity. Their goal was to raise $15,000, which is the amount it takes to build a well for a village in South Sudan. They made more than 48 presentations within the district in a single day, spoke to community organizations, sent letters to local businesses and held several fundraising events.

“This group of less than 100 students had such a powerful impact on this generous community that the funds were raised in just over four months,” said Tammy Kellogg, seventh-grade adviser.

Glen 7th, 8th grade awards announced

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 9 -- The following awards were presented to Watkins Glen 7th and 8th grade students at an awards assembly on June 1st.

7th Grade High Honor Roll Award:
Kaitlin Asbury, Tim Clifford, Abby Congdon, Kelsey DeMillo, Tanner Dunham, Natalie Edmister, Shannon Ervay, Maxwell Evans, Heidi Gardner, Brianna Hayes, Vanessa Heim, Mikayla Holmes, Bryce Kelly, Aislinn Klemann, Seamus Mooney, Dylan Morse, Kayla Palmer, Jasmine Searle, Cale Sutterby, Amanda Wilbur, Nicholas Wilston.

7th Grade Honor Roll Award:
Savannah Ayers, Boyd Barber, Chris Berry, Emma Bradshaw, Jack Chen, Michael Cook, Taylor Cummings, Jacob DeJong, Dylan Fraboni, Kaylee Franklin, Jon Havel, III, Matthew Irwin, Kaden Loucks-Scuteri, Steven Miller, Connor Novinsky, Nolan Ormsbee, Genevieve Osborne, David Strait, Brooke Usher, Sarai Wynkoop, Nicholas Yaw.

7th Grade Math:
Kaitlyn Asbury, Boyd Barber, Maria Brubaker, Max Evans, Jon Havel, III, Briana Hayes, Vanessa Heim, Bryce Kelly, Dylan Morse, Kayla Palmer, Elizabeth Scholtisek, Cale Sutterby.

7th Grade Science
Boyd Barber, Bryce Kelly, Dylan Morse, Elizabeth Scholtisek.

7th Grade Physical Education
Maria Brubaker, Madison Cary, Max Evans, Kelsey Kernan, Seamus Moody, Kayla Palmer, Genevieve Osborne, Nathan VanAmburg.

7th Grade Social Studies
Tim Clifford, Tanner Dunham, Shannon Ervay, Brianna Hayes, Bryce Kelly, Seamus Mooney, Dylan Morse, Kayla Palmer, Cale Sutterby.

7th Grade Technology
Rebecca Becker, Jake DeJong, Tanner Dunham, Aaron Fedele, Vanessa Heim, Aislinn Klemann, Connor Novinsky, Kayla Palmer, Cale Sutterby, Nathan VanAmburg, Nicholas Yaw.

Junior Honor Society Inductees
Boyd Barber, Douglas DiGregorio, Isabella LaFace, Abigail Gibson, Andrew Hayes, Cameron Holland, Andrew Hayes, Aislinn Klemann, Matthew Sandritter, Benjamin Swinnerton.

Health
Maria Brubaker, Abby Congdon, Natalie Edmister, Shannon Ervay, Heidi Gardner, Matthew Irwin, Bryce Kelly, Aislinn Klemann, Dylan Morse, Brendan Sheesley, Cale Sutterby, Amanda Wilbur, Nicholas Wilston, Sarai Wynkoop.

8th Grade High Honor Roll Award
Brandon Beaumont, Scott Brubaker, Jacey Carl, Madison Cary, Peighton Cervoni, Eleanor Clarkson, Haley Dean,  Aidan DiGregorio, Collin Gaylord, Steven Gublo, Travis Hill, Kelsey Kernan, Alexandria LaMoreaux, Enkang Lin, Engi Lin, Elaine Majors, Isaac McIlroy, Damon Morgan, Mason Neira, Maggie Rhoads, Miranda Rodriguez, Peter Sandritter, Dalton Shepherd, Adrienna Solomon, Olivia Stephani, Sarah Swinnerton, Amber Updike, Josiah Wysocki.

8th Grade Honor Roll Award
David Armstrong, Boryana Bond, Zachary Burrows, Elliott Holland, Katarena Jackson, Raiana Labonte, Brittany Luke, Erika Perrone, Monet Price, Gabe Planty, Tristan Rose-Morley, Zachary Schaffner, Daniel Snow, Eliya Stolpinski, Madelyn Suddaby, Samuel Thorsland, Breanna Wilson.

Peter Galatis Award
Brandon Beaumont, Aidan DeGregorio, Isaac McIlroy.

8th Grade Science
Steven Gublo, Enkang Lin, Olivia Stephani.

8th Grade Math
Jacey Carl, Eleanor Clarkson, Andrea Heskell, Brittany Luke, Maggie Rhoads, Trevor Sager, Samuel Thorsland.

8th Grade Algebra
Collin Gaylord, Enkang Lin, Elaine Majors, Sarah Swinnerton, Josiah Wysocki.

8th Grade Science
Steven Gublo, Enkang Lin, Olivia Stephani.

Mr. Michel’s Physical Education Class
Zachary Burrows, Aidan DeGregorio, Alexandria LaMoreaux, Tyler LeRoux, Jessica Peters, Olivia Stephani.

Mrs. Suddaby’s Physical Education Class
Brandon Beaumont, Madison Cary, Ellie Clarkson, Kelsey Kernan, Gabe Planty, Adrienna Solomon, Maddie Suddaby, Josiah Wysocki.

Home and Careers
Brandon Beaumont, Scott Brubaker, Haley Dean, Collin Gaylord, Mason Neira, Gabe Planty, Sam Smith, Olivia Stephani, Sarah Swinnerton.

8th Grade History
Aidan DeGregorio, Travis Hill, Mason Neira, Peter Sandritter, Sarah Swinnerton.

8th Grade ELA
David Armstrong, Mason Neira, Peter Sandritter, Olivia Stephani, Hannah Warrick.

Triple C Award
Scott Brubaker, Maggie Rhoads.

Comptroller Award
Amber Updike

8th Grade Spanish
Scott Brubaker, Aidan DiGregorio, Travis Hill, Sarah Swinnerton.

O-M distributes its annual awards

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, June 8, 2016 -- Odessa-Montour High School distributed honors at its annual Academic Awards Program Monday at the school.

They were as follows:

WELLS COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP AWARD -- Alyssa Crout

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Earth Science -- Alyssa Lindsley
Living Environment -- Syria Tague
Chemistry -- Cameron Bryington
Ace Biology -- April Dunn

HONOR ROLL
This award is presented to students who have been on the Honor Roll (84.5 average) the first five marking periods this school year.

Freshmen: Olivia Grover, Briana Lockwood, Emma Lodge, Madison Randall, Tori Reese, Donald Roberts, Hannah Rosier, Alexis Saunders

Sophomores: Cameron Adams, Heidi Casselberry, LeNay Duet, Kayla Dundas, Curtis Harris, Elisha House, Alyssa Lindsley, Shaunalynn Maddox, Nakiaha Robinson, Anna Ross, Bronwyn Stermer, William Tague, Meagan Terry

Juniors: Paxtyn Brown, Alyssa Crout, Kyle Frasier, Andrew Fudala, Nicholas Sgrecci

Seniors: Bridgett Barrett, McKenna Carberry, Abigail Chapman, Tyler Clark, Jacob Edger, Ashton Furney, Joel Kelly, Erica Lockwood, Craig Starkweather

CONNIE TORPY JONES MEMORIAL AWARD -- Rosemary Peckham

SPANISH AWARDS
Spanish II Achievement Awards -- Kennedey Heichel, Kacie Wood
Spanish III Achievement Awards -- Cheyenne Barrett and Colin Marsh
Spanish IV Achievement Award -- Emelia Paulisczak
ACE Spanish Achievement Award -- Rosemary Peckham

NYS OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD -- Mechel Wead

USMC Scholastic Excellence Award - Mechel Wead

TECHNOLOGY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Certificate of Excellence in Technology - Tyler Clark, Ashton Furney and Jimito Williams

Physical Education and Health Awards-
Grade 9 Physical Education Awards - McKenzie Barrett and Andrew Hartford
Grade 10 Physical Education Awards - Hailey Perraut and Andrew Ink
Grade 11 Physical Education Awards - Alyssa Crout and Tyler Bump

Senior High Health Excellence Award
Excellence in Senior High Health award - Olivia Scata

PHYSICAL EDUCATION BABE RUTH AWARDS -- Ashley Kot and Tyler Clark

ELMIRA COLLEGE KEY AWARD -- Emelia Paulisczak and Nicholas Sgrecci

NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL TRIPLE C AWARD -- Paxtyn Brown and Nicholas Sgrecci

MATH DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Algebra -- Brandon Bordonaro
Geometry -- Andrew Ink
Trigonometry -- Ethan Fellwock
4 Year Math Awards -- Tyler Clark, Ethan Fellwock, Ashton Furney, Sage Garrison, Ashley Kot, Madison Lodge, Rosemary Peckham and Nicholas Sgrecci
5 Year Math Awards -- Logan Barrett, Olivia Scata and James Terry

BAUSCH AND LOMB HONORARY SCIENCE AWARD -- Emelia Paulisczak

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER FREDRICK DOUGLAS AND SUSAN B.ANTHONY AWARD - Paxtyn Brown

BOYS STATE AWARDS -- Ethan Fellwock, Andrew Fudala and Nicholas Sgrecci

ENGLISH AWARDS
English 9 Award -- Kennedey Heichel
English 10 Award -- Gillian Clark
English 11 Academic Excellence Award -- Emelia Paulisczak
English 12 Academic Excellence Award -- Brandon Voorhees
ACE English Academic Award -- Starr Cole

HISTORY DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Excellence in Government -- Luke Eberhardt
Excellence in Economics -- Luke Eberhardt
ACE U.S. History -- Emelia Paulisczak
ACE Economics -- Tyler Clark
Ace Government -- Logan Barrett
Joseph Lemak Global Studies Award -- Emelia Paulisczak
Edward Banfi U. S. History Award -- Mechel Wead

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER GEORGE EASTMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD -- Collin Povoski

CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE AWARDS - HIGHEST AVERAGE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
Grade 9 -- Kennedey Heichel
Grade 10 -- Carly Smith
Grade 11 -- Emelia Paulisczak

PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD
9th Grade -- Mckenzie Barrett, Noah Brewster, Emily Holton, Dezirae Minnier, John Niedermaier and Casey Underdown
10th Grade -- Cameron Adams, Taylor Alton, Cheyenne Barrett, Kayla Dundas, Curtis Harris, Almon McCarty, Daniel Minnier, Jonathan Myers and Carly Smith
11th Grade -- Madison Morse, Emelia Paulisczak
12th Grade -- Logan Barrett, Starr Cole, Angeleah Holton, Abelgayle Parker and Mechel Wead

HIGH HONOR ROLL
This award is presented to students who have been on the High Honor Roll (89.5 average) the first five marking period this school year.

Freshmen: Mckenzie Barrett, Noah Brewster, Hannah Bruno, Tyler Carson, Hunter Daugherty, Hailey Ferguson, Kennedey Heichel, Jacy Knapp, McKennah Lott, Maria Scata, Syria Tague, Casey Underdown, Jacqulyn Vincent, Kacie Wood

Sophomores: Cheyennne Barrett, Gillian Clark, Erin Kleist, Hailey Perraut, Jaylin Rumsey, Carly Smith

Juniors: Cameron Bryington, Sage Garrison, Madison Morse, Emelia Paulisczak, Mitchell Scata, Andrew Stevenson, Britney Visscher

Seniors: Logan Barrett, Steven Bennett, Starr Cole, Danielle Fuschilo, Angeleah Holton, Rosemary Peckham, Olivia Scata, Brandon Voorhees, Me’chel Wead.

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMPUTING MEDAL -- Paxtyn Brown and Nicholas Sgrecci

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY AWARD -- Emelia Paulisczak and Collin Povoski

CLARKSON UNIV. HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD -- Alex Grady

CLARKSON UNIV. HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARD -- Emelia Paulisczak

RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE WOMEN OF INFLUENCE AWARD -- Dasia Herrmann and Britney Visscher

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER XEROX AWARD -- Nicholas Sgrecci
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE (Must have 90 average and College Entrance Exam Scores at or above the 85th Percentile) -- Logan Barrett

FOUR-YEAR HONORS
(Seniors who have a 3-5/6 year average of 85 or above):
Logan Barrett, Steven Bennett, Gabrielle Cain, Lovona Carrigan, Abigail Chapman, Tyler Clark, Starr Cole, Audreanna Crout, April Dunn, Luke Eberhardt, Angeleah Holton, Joel Kelly, Ashley Kot, Madison Lodge, Rosemary Peckham, Victoria Pries, Emma Raymond, Olivia Scata, James Terry, Brandon Voorhees, Mechel Wead and James Williams

WGHS distributes its annual awards

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 2, 2016 -- Watkins Glen High School distributed honors at its annual Awards Assembly Wednesday at the school.

They were as follows:

American Red Cross Blood Bank: Thank you to Mrs. Chedzoy, Mr. Davidowsky and our Student Council for running the program for us this year. Congratulations to our students and our staff for donating 50 units of blood with 28 first-time donors this year.

Student Council Leadership Scholarships: Bernadette Osborne, Portia Wells, and Lucas Wickham

Rotary Students of the Month: September - Megan Chilson; October - Cheyenne Stansfield; November - Allison Teed; December - Maggie Bond; January - Brenen Murphy; February - Ian Chedzoy; March - Portia Wells; April - Brooke Shaffer; May - Bernadette Osborne; June - James St. Julien

Interact Service Awards:
Recognition for Years of Service: Emma Congdon, De’naja Blanchard and Bernadette Osborne

TIES Volunteer Awards: Liza Carnes, Courtney Irwin, Ian Chedzoy, Brenen Murphy and James St. Julien

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Awards:

Athlete: Margaret Bond and Ian Chedzoy
Scholastic Excellence Award: Claire McManus
Semper Fidelis Award: Portia Wells

U.S. Army National Scholar Athlete: Margaret Bond and Ian Chedzoy

Hope for Lyme: Cheyenne Stansfield

UFCW Local One Benefit Funds’ Education Award: Cody Austic

Technology Awards Certificates: Megan Chilson, Jacob Slater, Thomas Schmitt, Tyler Jelenevsky, and Brenen Murphy

Varsity Academic Marathon: Margaret Bond, Ian Chedzoy, Megan Chilson, Megan Hoy, Mackenzie Kennedy, Claire McManus, Brenen Murphy, Bernadette Osborne, Ashley Palmer, Brandon Pike, Olivia Rodriguez, Madeleine Ross, Cheyenne Stansfield, Portia Wells, and Lucas Wickham

Bausch & Lomb Science Honorary Award: Ruthe Gardner

Fredrick Douglas & Susan B. Anthony Award for Social Sciences & Humanities: Brienna Solomon

George Eastman Young Leaders Award: Alex Gibson

Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology: Rong Hong Lin

Elmira College Key Award: Cambria Weeden and Payton Watson

Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award: Jacob Carocci

Clarkson University Leadership Award: Alexander Gibson

Rochester Institute of Technology Junior Awards:
Innovation & Creativity Award: Rong Hong Lin

Alfred University Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering Award for Academic Excellence: Alexander Gibson

Top Ten Recognition: Margaret Bond, Claire McManus, Cheyenne Stansfield, Portia Wells, Brandon Pike, Lucas Wickham, Megan Hoy, Brenen Murphy, Megan Chilson and Emma Allington

Boy’s State Recognition Awards: Ryan Pruitt (Sponsor-Watkins Glen Fire Department) and Dylan Platon (Sponsor-Watkins Glen American Legion)

Math Recognition Awards:
Algebra Regents Award: Nathaniel Rose
Geometry Regents Award: Kaitlyn Valla
Algebra II Regents Award: Cheyenne Stansfield

Ruth Warner Math Awards: Brienna Solomon and Taylor Kelly

Francis W. Blake Sportsmanship Awards: Margaret Bond and Brenen Murphy

Barb Hughey Physical Education Award: Bernadette Osborne and Brenen Murphy

Water Safety Award: Megan Hoy

Senecas Football Award: Ian Chedzoy

Track & Field Award: Brandon Pike

Athletic Service Award: Nateah Cornish

Dr. Arthur J. Jackson Award: Margaret Bond and Ian Chedzoy

Coach Joseph J. Lemak, Sr. Award: Katherine Meehan and Brandon Gould

T.J. O’Rourke Award: Brandon Pike

James Angelo, Sr. Basketball Award: Parker Pangallo

Chemistry Regents Award: Phebe Wickham and Jacob Carocci

Gerald Loughlin Biology Regents Award (Living Environment): Jared Sandritter

Physics Regents Award: James St. Julien and Lucas Wickham

Earth Science Regents Award: Alyssa Arcangeli and Aiden DeBolt 

AP Achievement Award: Brandon Pike

English Regents Award: Portia Wells, Maggie Bond, Cheyenne Stansfield, and Brandon Pike

Dugo-Bahns U.S. History Regents Award: Margaret Bond, Cheyenne Stansfield and Ian Chedzoy

Bahns-Dugo Global History Regents Award: Cambria Weeden

Melissa B. Wilson Basketball Award: Katherine Meehan

National Honor Society Awards:
NHS Presidential Award: Portia Wells
NHS Service Award: Cheyenne Stansfield
NHS Leadership Award: Bernadette Osborne
NHS Scholarship Award: Margaret Bond
NHS Character Award: Brenen Murphy

Students running for Student Council Officers gave their electoral speeches during the school day on June 2nd, with elections set for June 3.

Speeches were given by:
Courtney Irwin for President
Abigail Miller, Aiden DeBolt for Vice President (VP candidate with lowest vote total was to get the Treasurer’s position)
Alexis Bingham for Secretary

YEARBOOK DEDICATION: Zack Brown

Open house, student art show set at AMS

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 31 -- Arnot Medical Services (AMS) will welcome members of the community to an open house and art show from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7 at AMS Watkins Glen, 104 S. Porter St.

The event is an opportunity to meet the office’s staff and providers, and to enjoy an installation of original art work by students of the Watkins Glen Central School District. Light refreshments will be provided.

Debating Clean Energy ... but in this case, from a distance

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 29 -- It was Debate Day recently at Watkins Glen High School -- Debate Day, Distance Learning style.

The school's Orator's Guild, under the guidance of teacher Travis Durfee, went up against a team from Addison High School from the comfort of a WGHS classroom, using the district's learning technology -- a system similar to Skype, but of higher quality -- through GST BOCES. It is a rapidly developing technology, and one that will likely see increasing use in future debates.

Each debate squad -- one in a room in Watkins Glen, and one in Addison -- utilized a screeen and a high-resolution video camera. Three other schools -- from Texas, Taiwan and the Czech Republic -- are involved in the program, but on this day Watkins debated only Addison.

"My kids really seem to like this idea," said Durfee of his students. "We were able to designate roles, with a few students handling the constructive speech, others preparing for cross examination, and still others preparing for the rebuttal and closing statement. Many of the students had not debated outside of the comfort of our English classroom before, so this was a good way to break the ice."

The debate theme was Global Alternative Energy, or what was dubbed a "Clean Energy Debate," one of many that organizers hope to conduct. "Our goal," said Rene Carver, distance learning coordinator at GST BOCES, in an email to participants before the debate, "is to promote discussion and education about the Global Climate Disruption impact of our energy source choices. For the debate, one school will be assigned the affirmative and the other school will be assigned the negative on the following proposal:

"Proposed: 'The world can and must move to solely clean, non-nuclear, renewable energy sources by 2030.'"

According to the plan presented by Carver, both sides in the program's debates have 15 minutes to present "research-based arguments," then jointly use 15 minutes to "ask each other questions about their research and respective positions." That is followed by 10-minute "rebuttal" speeches by each side, and then a joint, "convivial" 10-minute closing with "appreciative remarks from both sides."

The goal, Carver said, is "for students to educate themselves as much as possible" about such things as energy consumption levels, "current and projected"; the environmental impact of various energy sources such as solar, tidal, wind, coal, nuclear, gas, oil and hydropower; and "energy storage potential."

No winner was crowned on this debate day, said Durfee, "but it was a very strong showing from the Watkins Glen Orator's Guild." Added Carver: "The level of 'winning' is determined by the level of learning about required action to ensure a viable future."

Participants from Watkins Glen included freshmen Kishan Patel, Joe Chedzoy, H. Nathaniel Rose, Kathryn Losey and Claudia Parker; sophomores Daniel Paradiso, Clara Chedzoy, Emmie Bond and Sean Holland; juniors Tanner Ryan and Simon Wigmore; and senior Brandon Pike.

A dozen students from 11th and 12th grade classes at Addison High School participated, as well, from environmental science classes.

Students from Watkins Glen, Durfee said, "prepared during lunches and after school in addition to researching at home." The Watkins Glen Orators Guild is a club in its first year at WGHS.

Said organizer Carver afterward:

"It is heartening to see the motivation of students as they prepared themselves for a lengthy presentation of their assigned point of view and their research and even more heartening to see how carefully and thoughtfully the debate structure had them focused on both understanding the opposing point of view and being aware of potential argument failures.  Those skills are at least as essential as ever, and likely even more with the increased media consumption possible."

Said Watkins Glen participant Tanner Ryan, president of the Watkins Glen Orators Guild:

"Today's debate was a great experience. It was nice to watch some of my peers move out of their comfort zones, and take on roles they didn't originally plan on. I think it opened doors for those who might have been hesitant before, and I hope that the exposure will lead to another successful debate season next year." 

Added Durfee, a 9th grade English teacher at WGHS and the Orators Guild advisor:

“One of the more exciting developments in public education over the past few years has been a shift away from ineffective standardized tests, which present contrived situations to evaluate student learning. The move toward more authentic experiences and project-based learning as the means for evaluating student learning is good practice and common sense. The collaborative nature of debate gives our students the opportunity to synthesize the many critical thinking skills we strive to teach in the classroom and apply those skills in a live situation.”

The debate process encountered "a few glitches," said Durfee, "but overall we conducted about 80 minutes of debate and conversation with very little interruption. CNN could learn a thing or two from Rene and the folks at GST BOCES."

Added Deborah Lee, an Addison science teacher who oversaw her school's debate team: "I would definitely be interested in doing this again next year. Now I have a much better idea of what to expect and how to prepare my students for something like this. ... I think that learning debate skills is important for students because not only does it promote the development of good research skills, but also forces them to examine all sides of an issue and learn to defend what they are claiming with evidence. These are life skills and will help them in the future."

Selfies are a part of any modern-day prom.

Prom Night for Watkins Glen

HECTOR, May 14, 2016 -- It was Prom Night Saturday for Watkins Glen High School students who gathered for the occasion at Logan Ridge after dining at area restaurants.

Lavish gowns, sharp tuxedos, camaraderie and plenty of music marked the occasion, caught in various photographs here.

Photo at right: William Yeater and Mia Manzer. Both recently had key roles in the WGHS play "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

Scenes from the Prom:

The sunset was colorful for Prom-goers.

Bryce Elliott and Nadia Simpson at the Odessa-Montour Prom at the WGI Media Center.

Prom Night for O-M at WGI

ODESSA, May 6 -- They gathered in gowns, tuxes and other finery for an evening of food, fun, dancing and camaraderie Friday night.

It was the annual Odessa-Montour High School prom, held again at the Watkins Glen International racetrack Media Center.

The students, most of whom had been out to area restaurants before making their way to the track, checked in on the Media Center's first floor before riding the elevator to the second floor, site of a lounge and then the ballroom, a multi-purpose room bathed in soft, colorful lighting.

There, they sat at tables in small groups and danced as couples or in large groups, and enjoyed the night that has long stood as a benchmark in the high school experience.

Photo in text: Nick Sgrecci with Olivia Grover.

Other photos from the evening:

Hansen arrested again at WG

Handcuffed at school tennis match; trespass charged

WATKINS GLEN, May 4 -- Kristina Hansen, already facing a misdemeanor trespass charge following her arrest March 21 while trying to attend a public Watkins Glen School Board meeting, was removed by a Village Police officer in handcuffs Wednesday afternoon while she was watching a Watkins Glen High School tennis match.

Hansen, a district resident, was approached by School Athletic Manager Erich Kramer and Officer J. Walrath as Hansen was seated on bleachers watching the match between the Watkins Glen and Lansing varsity tennis teams.

Following a brief, low-keyed exchange between Kramer and Hansen and then Walrath and Hansen, the officer raised his voice to tell her: "You're not supposed to be here. You've been told multiple times that you're not supposed to be here."

Hansen had in fact been banned by Superintendent Tom Phillips from the school campus without his written authorization following a March 11 incident in which Hansen tried to attend a staff meeting at the school. She maintains she had a right to be there since a quorum of School Board members were attending. A violation-level trespass charge was filed when she was arrested while trying to attend the Board meeting 10 days later. That charge was later dismissed in Village Court, but a misdemeanor-level trespass charge was filed for the same March 21 incident on April 28. She was arraigned that day and a not-guilty plea was entered for her by her attorney, Ray Schlather of Ithaca. A motion by Schlather to dismiss the charge is pending before the court.

Amid all of that, Hansen filed a Notice of Claim announcing a lawsuit handled for her by Schlather's firm and filed against the village, Village Police, the two March 21 arresting officers, the school district, Phillips and School Board President Kelly McCarthy. It charged, among other things, illegal arrest. The suit claims nobody can be prevented from attending a public School Board session without a court order. Hansen is also claiming outside the suit that there was "no basis" for the Phillips ban order and that "it needs to be challenged."

Hansen said before Wednesday's arrest that she was on hand with her daughter Hannah to watch the tennis team, for which Hannah played last year. Hansen said she wants her daughter to join the team again next year. It is not clear whether the daughter was still present when the officer arrived.

When Kramer first saw Hansen there Wednesday, he contacted the superintendent, and Officer Walrath soon arrived, meeting with Kramer and High School Principal Kai D'Alleva on the dirt path leading to the tennis courts. After Walrath approached Hansen and told her she had repeatedly been warned by school officials to stay off of school property, she responded that they "don't make laws."

"The bottom line," said Walrath, is "you're trespassing." And he had her stand and turn to be handcuffed, and led her away. She was transported to police headquarters, processed and released. A spokesman said the new trespass charge is a misdemeanor-level one.

Said an observer at the tennis courts: "I'm upset with everybody about this. I don't mind her protesting" Phillips' banning move, "but she shouldn't have picked a place like this to get arrested -- not in front of all of these kids. What does that say to them?

"And if they had to arrest her, they could have waited until she was leaving."

Photo in text: Hansen is handcuffed by Village Police Officer J. Walrath.

WGHS honors its top 10%

WATKINS GLEN, May 3 -- The top 10 percent of students in each grade at Watkins Glen High School were honored Monday night in a ceremony at the school.

Grades included an average from the first three of four marking periods in the 2015-16 school year, not from the entire school year.

Those honored included:

9th Grade: Joseph Chedzoy, Kathleen Clifford, Jonathan Lokken, Phoebe Majors, Dylan Markley, H. Nathaniel Rose, Emilee Stephani, Kai Sutterby, Casen Weeden and Annika Wickham.

10th Grade: Maria Chedzoy, Gabriella Decker, Mariah Gonzalez, Meghan Hayes, Megan Hazlitt, Torie Hill, Daniel Paradiso, Tanner Ryan, Julian Thornton, Trevor Thurston and Kaitlyn Valla.

11th Grade: Alyssa Arcangeli, Jacob Carocci, Ruthe Gardner, Sara Gardner, Alexander Gibson, Rong Hang Lin, Jacob Lokken, Connor Seeley-Ion, Brienna Solomon and Cambria Weeden.

12th Grade: Margaret Bond, Megan Chilson, Claire McManus, Brandon Pike, Thomas Schmitt, Brooke Shaffer, Cheyenne Stansfield, Portia Wells and Lucas Wickham.

Hansen not-guilty plea entered as Schlather moves to dismiss

Village Justice Miller wants prosecution response by May 19; will rule then

WATKINS GLEN, April 28 -- Kristina Hansen was arraigned Thursday in Village Court on a second trespass charge lodged against her following her attempt to attend a March 21 Watkins Glen School Board meeting. Her attorney, Ray Schlather, entered a plea of not guilty for her, and she was released on her own recognizance -- with a motion for dismissal hanging in the air, filed by Schlather and awaiting a prosecution response.

Village Justice Connie Fern Miller did not outrightly agree with dismissal this time, as she had on a previous trespass charge against Hansen that was of the violation variety. This one, involving the powers of school officials, is a misdemeanor.

Miller said she would wait to rule on the motion -- which calls for dismissal for both "facial and legal insufficiency" and cites case law and open meetings law provisions that Schlather says trump the trespass charge -- until the prosecution can respond, as long as it does so within 20 days. The judge indicated a ruling was coming before or at a court session on May 19, with or without attorneys present -- meaning arguments could be provided either orally before Miller, or beforehand in writing.

Asked afterward if he was disappointed with the delay, Schlather said no -- that presenting a motion at arraignment was an unusual move, and one the judge wanted the prosecution to have time to absorb and respond to.

In releasing Hansen on her own recognizance, Miller noted that there was no bail "since you have appeared here twice voluntarily with your attorney." At that first appearance, on April 7, Miller had dismissed the trespass violation charge without prejudice, meaning a new charge could be filed that appeared more pertinent to the facts of the case.

Schlather said after the arraignment that he had not received the latest accusatory instrument -- with a supporting deposition of Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips -- until Thursday, and that having now seen it believes "this case should not have resulted in re-arrest. The School Board or Superintendent can prevent" certain actions by people on the school campus, "but have no right" to prevent members of the public from attending public meetings such as the March 21 School Board session.

If a person were admitted to such a meeting and was "disruptive, then certainly there are things (school officials) can do," said Schlather. "But the Court of Appeals has spoken clearly on this issue. It's not a lawful order."

Phillips issued a ruling that Hansen needed his written permission to be on campus following an attempt by Hansen to attend a staff meeting at the school on March 11 attended by, in addition to faculty and staff, four members of the School Board. She was met at the outer door by a gesticulating Phillips telling her she had to leave, but she refused, saying later she was reacting to what she deemed as his bullying attitude. She was ultimately escorted from the entrance vestibule by two police officers, but not charged.

Ten days later, emboldened by an opinion from the State Committee on Open Government's executive director, Robert J. Freeman, saying nobody could be prevented from attending a public School Board session without a court order, Hansen approached a Watkins Glen School Board meeting, only to be met on the sidewalk by Phillips, who ordered her to leave school grounds. Standing nearby were two Watkins Glen village police officers who arrested and handcuffed her when she tried to argue her right to be there.

Lawsuits against the school district, Phillips, Board president Kelly McCarthy, the village, its police department and the arresting officers were subsequently announced through Notices of Claim prepared by Schlather's firm on behalf of Hansen. Unspecified monetary awards will be sought -- which reportedly would be covered by insurance.

But Phillips, in concert with police and the Special Prosecutor in the case, Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsche, soon filed the new charge against Hansen, leading to Thursday's arraignment. Porsche left court immediately after Thursday's session, without comment.

Hansen, following her court appearance, was transported to the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office by Schlather, where they met with police officers for fingerprinting as part of the arrest procedure effected with her voluntary appearance at the Municipal Building, site of the courtroom. She had been ordered to report for arrest in an email sent to her by Police Chief Tom Struble a week and a half ago.

Schlather, speaking both after the arraignment and after the fingerprinting, remained optimistic about the case, saying he will come to Watkins Glen again from his Ithaca office "if necessary" for further court proceedings, "but might not have to" -- if Justice Miller were to dismiss the charge based on written arguments.

If she were to do that, he said, "this is over." But another appearance in court depends not only on her ruling, but on "what they (the prosecution) file" (in response to his motion), whether they prefer oral arguments, "and if I come up with something unusual, different ..."

He let the thought hang there.

Photos in text: Attorney Ray Schlather talks to the media after the arraignment; a sign in the Municipal Building points the way to the courtroom; and Hansen, second from right, leaves the Schuyler County Sheriff's office with Schlather (left) and friends after she was fingerprinted there following arraignment in the Municipal Building.

Re-arrest looms for Hansen

Notices of claim delivered to school district, village, police department

WATKINS GLEN, April 19 -- The woman arrested on March 21 for attempting to attend a Watkins Glen School Board meeting is scheduled to be re-arrested and arraigned in Village Court on Thursday, April 28.

Meanwhile, Notices of Claim from the woman's attorneys leveling various accusations have been sent by certified mail to the Village of Watkins Glen and the Watkins Glen School District as the first step in lawsuits against those entities and specific individuals.

Kristina Hansen, arrested on a trespass charge that was later dismissed by Village Justice Connie Fern Miller, was notified Monday by Village Police Chief Tom Struble of the pending re-arrest in an e-mail requesting her to submit to authority at 3 p.m. on April 21 -- later changed to April 28 at the request of her attorney, Ray Schlather of Ithaca, who could not attend on the 21st.

The charge pending against her is once again Criminal Trespass -- but this time at the Class B Misdemeanor level instead of the previous Violation. As such, it can bring a higher fine and up to a year in jail, said Struble, "though jail time is rare and usually reserved for repeat offenders." Ultimately, he added, it's up to the judge to determine the movement of the case -- from taking a plea and setting a trial date down to "dismissing it on the spot, but I hope she doesn't."

The dismissal by the judge on April 7 had come "without prejudice," which Schlather had explained means the Special Prosecutor in the case, Seneca County District Attorney Barry Porsche, could conceivably "refile" if he found "proper allegations." Porsche was assigned the case by Schuyler County Judge Dennis Morris, Schlather explained at the time, because Schuyler County DA Joe Fazzary had been excused due to a conflict of interest.

The new charge, "found in a different section of Criminal Trespass Law," said Struble, spells out -- where the initial charge did not -- that "a school official can tell a person not to be on school property." He and Porsche arrived at the decision to file the new charge, with the school district once again the complainant.

He said he couldn't comment on the Notices of Claim submitted to his department and the village Monday (see section below), but did say "the police department has a job to do. But the bottom line is this: the situation has to be resolved. It's unfortunate that she decided to sue, but it's her choice and her right. It's all unfortunate, is all I can say."

As for the pending arrest, the chief said any failure by a defendant to appear in such a situation results in "alternative action" by police to ensure his or her presence -- but that he spoke with Attorney Schlather "in person and by e-mail, and he said there is no problem in his client appearing" for arrest and arraignment on April 28. When she comes in, he explained, prints will be taken and paperwork filled out before she goes to court, which is on the second floor of Village Hall, the same building housing the police department.

"No handcuffs this time?" he was asked, a reference to the arrest technique employed against Hansen on March 21.

Not if she comes in voluntarily, he answered, adding in a reference to that March 21 arrest: "Our guys had to do what they had to do" to remove Hansen from school property that day, even though she tried to argue that she had a right to attend a public meeting under the law.

"The whole thing is an unfortunate situation," the chief said. "It's real frustrating."

Meanwhile, Struble -- in his e-mail to Hansen on Monday -- cautioned that she should "not attempt to enter upon any Watkins Glen School District property until this situation is resolved."

Accordingly, she did not enter the school grounds for Monday evening's School Board meeting.

Notices of Claim

The Notices of Claim were being delivered by certified mail to the school district, the Village of Watkins Glen and its Police Department -- with the village affirming that a copy was received there Monday. The notices were issued by Schlather's law firm, Schlather, Stumbar, Parks & Salk of Ithaca against both the school district and the village as well as against School Superintendent Tom Phillips, School Board President Kelly McCarthy, the Village Police Department and arresting officers Isaac Marmor and Jamie Coleman.

Both the school and village notices state: "The nature of the claims is in tort for false arrest and unlawful imprisonment, abuse of process, malicious prosecution, trespass to person and battery. Further, the claims include all those that arise out of violations of claimant's (Hansen's) State and Federal constitutional rights, including, most centrally, her freedom of speech and freedom to assemble."

No monetary damages are mentioned yet -- except in the cases of Marmor and Coleman. "In addition to whatever full damages and costs that may be assessed against the other respondents," the Notice to the Village says, "claimant seeks nominal damages only in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) against Officers Marmor and Coleman personally because she is satisfied that although their actions were misguided and in ignorance of the law, at all times pertinent they acted in good faith at the direction of their superiors."

In the Notice of Claim against the School District, Phillips and McCarthy, the March 11 incident that ultimately led to the arrest 10 days later was outlined as follows:

"On March 11, 2016, claimant, as a law-abiding member of the public, attempted to attend an open meeting of officials and staff of the WGCSD in the auditorium of the WGCSD High School that was attended by a quorum of the members of the WGCSD BOE." This fact of a quorum appears central to the case, for a cover letter states that Hansen, "as a member of the public, has every right to be present at and to participate in every open meeting of the Watkins Glen Central School District Board of Education, its subcommittees and any other gathering where a quorum of the Board is present." Four of the seven School Board members were present that morning.

Phillips, the explanation of the March 11 incident continued, "unlawfully denied (Hansen) access to the meeting. Further, Phillips requested the Watkins Glen Village Police Department to forcibly escort claimant from the premises, which Village Police Officers did do. This request and removal was made and accomplished with the participation and approval of McCarthy, but without any formal BOE action."

McCarthy, however, has offered an account of that day from a different perspective with entirely different observations, among them that Hansen had no right to attend the meeting, which McCarthy said was closed to the public; that Hansen tried to enter the building without permission, and that she was disruptive in her refusal to leave and in an insistence to speak to McCarthy. (For more from McCarthy, see pertinent sections of a letter she wrote to the media here.)

The notice continued: "Later that same day, Phillips wrote claimant a letter which directed that: 'If you have a need to visit a school or a district office you must request permission from the Superintendent by stating the specifics of the need to come to the district, including time necessary to complete any business. Before coming to school, wait for the Superintendent to grant permission in writing. Written permission must be presented at the time of admittance to the building.' Again, this letter was written and delivered to claimant with the participation and approval of McCarthy, but without any formal BOE action.

"Claimant regularly attended open meetings, including BOE meetings, at WGCSD. Claimant confirmed with the New York State Committee on Open Government that the Superintendent's directive in no way pertained to her ability to attend open meetings at WGCSD. Claimant planned to keep attending WGCSD open meetings, as was her clear right under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and related New York State laws, rules and regulations. She so advised in writing McCarthy, the Watkins Glen Village Police Department and the WGCSD School Resource Officer, who in turn advised Phillips."

The arrest itself was outlined as follows:

"On Monday, March 21, 2016, claimant attempted to attend a WGCSD Board Meeting. While walking on the sidewalk that led to Watkins Glen High School, Phillips physically blocked claimant and advised her that she could not attend the meeting. When claimant expressed that she would not leave, Phillips -- with the consent, cooperation and approval of McCarthy -- had Watkins Glen Village Police Officers handcuff the claimant, take her into custody, and had her arrested and charged with Criminal Trespass, in violation of Section 140.05 of the NYS Penal Law.

"At all times pertinent herein, the respondents knew or should have known that Phillips' March 11th letter to claimant was illegal and unenforceable in the context of preventing claimant from attending an open public meeting of the BOE. Nevertheless, the respondents, despite lacking probable cause or other legal authority, maliciously commenced, caused to be commenced, and continued the criminal proceeding against claimant, all with intent to do harm to claimant without excuse or justification."

"On April 7, 2016," the notice added, "at (Hansen's) arraignment on the Criminal Trespass charge, the Village Court ... dismissed the charge because of legal and factual insufficiency."

*****

Now, in light of the new, enhanced trespass charge being leveled, the respondents have fired back in kind, using -- as Hansen has -- the court system.

The outcome? Who knows?

On the one hand, Hansen is facing a misdemeanor charge.

On the other -- on the lawsuit front -- there is talk of negotiations involving insurance company representatives, for municipal and school district administrators and officers are covered by insurance in such matters. Beyond that -- in case there is no out-of-court settlement -- the lawsuits could reportedly be combined as the matter moves to the New York Supreme Court for a possible hearing.

But that seems to be down the road.

As for now, it seems -- considering the rancor inherent in this case -- apt to quote Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan's general philosophical observation:

"I've led a school whose faculty and students examine and discuss and debate every aspect of our law and legal system. And what I've learned most is that no one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. I've learned that we make progress by listening to each other, across every apparent political or ideological divide."

Photos in text:

From top: Kristina Hansen with her attorney, Ray Schlather, after her first trespass charge was dismissed; Police Chief Tom Struble at the recent Arc Grand Prix run; a vacant Village Police vehicle parked outside the School Board meeting on April 18; School Superintendent Tom Phillips at the April 18 Board meeting, and School Board President Kelly McCarthy at the same session.

Auxiliary offers health care scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 6, 2016 -- The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary is offering scholarships to students who plan to enter the health care field.

$1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school students who are residents of Schuyler County, and to hospital employees wishing to further their education in the health care field.

Applications may be found on-line at www.schuylerhospital.org, by clicking on the media release at the top right. Applications may also be picked up at high school guidance offices, and at the hospital’s Human Resources office -- located inside the main entrance of the hospital.

Applications must be postmarked by May 27.

For more information, email info@schuylerhospital.org, or contact Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary member Joan Argetsinger at (607) 535-6622 or Michelle Benjamin at (607) 210-1950.

Friends of Library choose ambassadors

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 5 -- To celebrate National Library Week (April 10-16, 2016) and National School Library Month, Friends of the Watkins Library (FOWL) have selected Dannie Brown and Sue Dugo as community ambassadors.

Maggie Field, Watkins Glen High School Library Media Specialist, has chosen sophomore Amanda Armstrong as school district ambassador.

National School Library Month and National Library Week are an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians. All types of libraries -- school, public, academic and special -- participate.

FOWL is an organization which supports the Watkins Glen Public Library.

FOWL membership funds help provide programs for children, the Books Sandwiched In sessions, seasonal plants and flowers, computer classes, and financial support to unanticipated needs of the library.

When you see any of these ambassadors, says Field, ask them for information regarding membership in FOWL and how you can help in supporting the Watkins Glen public and school libraries.

The FOWL membership form can be found at the WGPL, the high school library, from Dannie, Sue or Amanda, and at the following website: http://www.watkinsglenlibrary.org/

Photos in text:

Top: School district Ambassador Amanda Armstrong. (Photos by Maggie Field)
Bottom: Community Ambassadors Dannie Brown (left) and Sue Dugo.

WGHS orators excel in competition

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 3, 2016 -- On Saturday, April 2 the Watkins Glen Orators Guild hosted a speech and debate competition in conjunction with the Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Debate Series. Throughout the morning several students competed in speech and debate events that were judged by teachers from Watkins Glen High School.

The debate topic, chosen by the Reagan Presidential Library, dealt with the U.S. presidential primaries. The specific resolution stated that “the United States primary system is an ineffective method for selecting the best possible candidates for president.” Students researched and prepared arguments to support and oppose the resolution.

Participating judges noted the contrast in tone between Saturday’s debates and the so-called debates of the presidential hopefuls in the Republican and Democratic parties.

“It was truly gratifying to observe the level of debate our students have achieved,” said Marie Fitzsimmons, a high school history teacher who served as a judge Saturday morning. “I was particularly impressed by the professionalism, reasoned thinking, and respect for opponents. These students are building so many skills while pursuing the art of debate.”

After three rounds of debate, first-place honors were awarded to WGHS Sophomore Tanner Ryan, also the president of the Orators Guild. Freshman Kishan Patel earned second place, and freshman H. Nathaniel Rose took third place.

Also performing Saturday were several students interested in improvisation. In the impromptu event, students selected a prompt and prepared a speech with limited preparation time. Students had two minutes to prepare a performance that could last up to three minutes.

Senior Portia Wells earned first-place honors. Second place went to freshman H. Nathaniel Rose, and freshman Ramel Fulcher earned third place.

The club, recently approved by the Watkins Glen School Board, was able to provide awards for the day’s top competitors with support of the Watkins Glen PTO.

The debaters qualified to compete in a regional competition on Long Island in May. Regional winners are flown to Simi Valley, CA to compete in the national competition in June.

“Through the Orators Guild students develop a wide variety of academic and life skills, from research to public speaking,” said Katherine Meierjurgen, a high school Spanish teacher who also judged the day’s events. “The students who participated in Saturday's event demonstrated an incredible wealth of such skills. I feel privileged to have been a part of this tremendous event!”

Watkins Glen High School previously sent students to Boston College in 2012 to participate in the Great Communicator Debate Series.

Photo in text: From left, Ramel Fulcher, Portia Wells, Kishan Patel, Tanner Ryan and H. Nathaniel Rose. (Photo provided)

NYS Lifeguard Exams set at O-M

Special to The Odessa File

TRUMANSBURG, April 2, 2016 -- The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced that statewide qualifying procedures for lifeguards will be held in the Finger Lakes Region on the following dates:

Friday, April 8, 2016 -- at Odessa-Montour High School at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 22, 2016 -- at Odessa-Montour High School at 5:30 p.m.

Odessa-Montour High School is located at 300 College Avenue, Odessa, NY.

The exam will begin at 5:30 p.m. sharp. Candidates are encouraged to arrive one hour prior to the exam to register and to practice their CPR skills.

All exams are open to new candidates as well as returning lifeguards. The qualifying procedures evaluate practical lifesaving skills and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills. All items of the examination are evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

Candidates are required to bring their picture ID and their own pocket masks for the CPR portion of the exam.

Starting pay for lifeguards is $13.27 per hour.

Candidates must pre-register by either calling the Finger Lakes State Parks Regional Office at (607)387-7041, ext. 104 or by e-mail at Andrew.Chouinard@parks.ny.gov.

Arc of Schuyler offers $1,000 scholarship

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 31 -- The Arc of Schuyler is offering a $1,000 scholarship in honor of past board member Joanne S. Hayes. Seniors at Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Bradford Central Schools or who are Schuyler County residents are eligible to apply for the award.

The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior continuing his or her education in special education, human services or a related clinical area such as nursing, psychology, speech pathology, or physical/occupational therapy, which will be used in a career providing supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.

The Arc of Schuyler has identified that there are serious workforce issues facing organizations providing supports to people with disabilities. This scholarship program, said an Arc press release, "focuses on informing students, parents, schools and the community at large that there are important and rewarding jobs and a variety of career opportunities working with and for people with disabilities."

Joanne S. Hayes was a past board member and president of The Arc of Schuyler, who lived in Odessa before her death in 1987. She was a strong advocate for career and employee training. The scholarship is made possible through local donations.

Eligible applicants must submit the following to their school guidance office or to The Arc of Schuyler’s Human Resources Office at 210 12th Street in Watkins Glen by May 20: Completed application, legible essay (no more than two double-spaced pages), two letters of reference, GPA, class rank, SAT score, transcript, and a photo of the applicant to be used in promotional materials.

Applications are available at the school guidance office and at www.arcofschuyler.org. For more information, call 607-535-6934.

Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips and Board President Kelly McCarthy at Monday's board meeting.

Blocked at the school door

Phillips critic arrested on way to School Board session

WATKINS GLEN, March 21, 2016 -- A School Board candidate who attends Board meetings regularly -- and has become a critic of Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips -- was stopped on school grounds by Phillips on her way to a board meeting Monday evening and arrested on a trespass charge by Village Police awaiting her arrival.

Kristina Hansen -- the mother of a Watkins Glen High School student -- had been banned from school property by Phillips following a confrontation on March 11 when she tried to enter the school to attend a staff meeting at which Phillips was to outline the status of jobs under the coming budget.

Hansen said she had wanted to attend as a member of the Shared Decision Making Committee, a unit formed back in the superintendency of the late Donald Dryden, and as a member of the High School Building Leadership Team.

She was escorted from the school on that day by Village Police called when she declined an order by Phillips to leave -- declined, she said, because Phillips was "loud and aggressive" when a measure of civility might well have worked. "I would never submit to an angry bully," she later wrote. She was not charged in that incident, and says she thought that despite Phillips' subsequent order banning her from school buildings, it would not apply to a public School Board meeting.

In that order, relayed to Hansen by registered letter and to The Odessa File by Hansen, Phillips wrote: "If you have a need to visit a school or a district office you must request permission from the Superintendent by stating the specifics of the need to come to the district, including time necessary to complete any business. Before coming to school, wait for the Superintendent to grant permission in writing. Written permission must be present at the time of admittance to the building."

Hansen protested that directive on March 14 in a letter to School Board President Kelly McCarthy, saying Phillips' action and the directive violated the district board's Code of Conduct -- which calls for action in such a circumstance by a building principal or "his or her designee." Besides, she wrote, all she did was approach the building -- not try to sneak into the meeting or demand admittance. What she was guilty of, she said, was "listening to what I perceived to be an out of control administrator yelling and threatening me for no reason. Approaching an approved entrance to request admittance is not a reason for a verbal barrage of threats."

Besides, she added in her missive to McCarthy, "I would characterize the Superintendent's behavior as completely opposed to the code of conduct description of your stated goal: 'The district has a longstanding set of expectations for conduct on school property and at school functions. These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, tolerance, honesty and integrity.' I too support these goals."

In another letter to McCarthy, dated Monday, Hansen said she wished to file a complaint with the School Board "concerning the unprofessional behavior" of the superintendent on March 11. "At no point did I demand admittance. In fact it was difficult to get a word in over his yelling," she wrote, adding: "I deserved a rational professional conversation." Later, she added this: "I respectfully request that Mr. Phillips be held accountable for his actions. His ongoing hostility towards me is unwarranted and unprofessional."

Before Hansen's arrest Monday, Phillips was seen watching through an office window for board-meeting arrivals, and went outside briefly to talk to two Village Police officers when they arrived. They said they were alerted to be there by the School Resource Officer, David Waite, a retired trooper attached to the Village Police Department. Then, when Hansen arrived, parking in the main lot and then walking toward the entrance to the Board meeting, Phillips went outside once more and confronted her, saying twice: "I'm ordering you to leave this campus immediately."

When Hansen protested that she was on her way to a public meeting and that admittance was permitted under State Education Law, the officers -- Isaac Marmor and Jamie Coleman -- interceded, placing her under arrest, handcuffing her and directing her to their car. When she hesitated, they cautioned her that she could also be charged with resisting arrest. She complied and was led to the car and transported away.

While she was being handcuffed, Hansen was observed by arriving School Board member Kristin Hazlitt, who commented loudly: "That seems a little uncalled for." Hazlitt was, minutes later, heard saying to Board President Kelly McCarthy before the meeting that "it's not like a safety issue. Why are we dragging people away in handcuffs? Answered McCarthy: "We don't know what they're going to do. We don't know."

Hansen has run for the School Board twice and is doing so again this year. "I'm looking forward to it," she says. She has tangled with the administration in the past, accusing the district of a Title IX violation in the balance of boys and girls sports. The complaint was validated by investigators, forcing the district to make some adjustments.

She was released by Village Police Monday after being taken to Village Hall and issued an appearance ticket for Village Court on April 7.

A text message to Phillips by The Odessa File asking for comment on the situation went unanswered.

Photos in text:

Top: Superintendent Tom Phillips stops Hansen upon her arrival at the school Monday. "I'm ordering you to leave this campus immediately," he told her twice. Hansen insisted she had a right to attend a public meeting, and was quickly arrested.
Middle: Kristina Hansen is led to the waiting police car.
Bottom: School Board member Kristin Hazlitt during the board session.

From left: The flying car, Maria and Scott Brubaker, Alexis Atchie, Conlin Wysocki and Phebe Wickham in an early Act One scene.

'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' ends weekend run at WGHS

WATKINS GLEN, March 20, 2016 -- The Watkins Glen High School spring musical, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” -- a show about family and a flying car -- was presented for the final time Sunday afternoon in the Watkins Glen High School Auditorium.

The family-friendly musical opened Friday night and was presented again Saturday night.

In all, over 20 students from 7th to 12th grades rehearsed beginning in January, immersing themselves in the early 1900s with music, choreography, costumes, and tons of early 20th century references.

The show was chock full of familiar songs fans could recognize from the movie, including “Toot Sweets,” ”Doll on a Music Box,” “Teamwork,” “Hushabye Mountain,” “Roses of Success,” and “Me Ol’ Bamboo.”

The cast was outstanding in all three of its performances, much to the delight of the appreciative audiences.

Michelle and Tim Benjamin of Montour Falls directed (it was their 12th show for Watkins Glen High School), with Sarah Matthews as Music Director.

Leads included Conlin Wysocki as inventor Caractacus Potts, with Maria and Scott Brubaker as his children, Jemima and Jeremy, and William Yeater as the Grandpa. Truly Scrumptious was played by Phebe Wickham.

The primary plot: Baron and Baroness Bomburst, played by Nathaniel Rose and French exchange student Marie Bucher, try to steal the flying car -- named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the noises its engine makes -- from the Potts family with the help of not-so-brilliant spies Boris and Goran, played by Dakota Cole and Chase Richtmyer.

Featured performers included Alexis Atchie as the Toymaker, Mia Manzer as The Childcatcher, and James St. Julien as Lord Scrumptious.

The pit band included Tom Bloodgood, Bernie Riley, Sam Riley and Andy Stevenson, under the direction of Matthews.

Choreography was by student Portia Wells and Co-Director Michelle Benjamin. Costume Director was Tammy Cole. Hair was by Shear Designs. The producer was Sam Brubaker, and the show was presented by the Watkins Glen High School Class of 2016.

Book, Music and Lyrics are by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The play was based on an MGM motion picture, and adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams and Ray Roderick. It was presented here in cooperation with Music Theatre International.

Cast List

Caractacus Potts ---- Conlin Wysocki
Truly Scrumptious -- Phebe Wickham
Grandpa Potts ------- William Yeater
Jeremy Potts --------- Scott Brubaker
Jemima Potts -------- Maria Brubaker
Baron Bomburst ---- Nathaniel Rose
Baroness Bomburst--Marie Bucher
Boris ------------------ Dakota Cole
Goran ----------------- Chase Richtmyer
Childcatcher --------- Mia Manzer
Toymaker/Coggins --Alexis Atchie

Ensemble:

Elliott Holland, Aislinn Klemann, Olivia Lattin, Emily Manzer, Alix Mathews, Jack Muir, Walker Richtmyer, James St. Julien, Joelle Slater, Cheyenne Stansfield, Destiny Weber

Photos in text:

Top: Truly Scrumptious (Phebe Wickham) and Caractacus Potts (Conlin Wysocki), posing as dolls, dance in a scene leading to the play's climax. (Photo by Doug Yeater)
Second: Marie Bucher and Nathaniel Rose, the Baron and Baroness Bomburst. (Photo by Doug Yeater)
Third: Truly (Phebe Wickham) in a tender moment with the Potts children (Maria and Scott Brubaker). (Photo by Doug Yeater)
Bottom: Co-director Tim Benjamin carries a prop telephone in the hallway behind the stage during the final performance.

(Uncredited photos are by Charlie Haeffner)

Olivia Lattin, left, and Destiny Weber effect a dance move in the hallway behind the stage during a break in their on-stage performances Sunday.

Left: James St. Julien backstage in his Lord Scrumptious garb. Right: The Child Catcher is caught near the play's end. (Photo by Doug Yeater)

Left: Exchange student/actress Marie Bucher with Costume Director Tammy Cole. Right: Music Director Sarah Matthews during Sunday's performance.

Fun Fair attendants gather around Caractacus Potts (Conlin Wysocki, right) and his automatic hair-cutting machine. (Photo by Doug Yeater)

And on Saturday night:

From left: Dakota Cole, Alexis Atchie and Chase Richtmyer on stage for the final song.

Truly Scrumptious (Phebe Wickham) sings a song while on a picnic.

Joelle Slater, left, and Aislinn Klemann during a comedy skit in Act One.

James St. Julien as Lord Scrumptious (left) deals with Caractacus Potts.

Scott and Maria Brubaker flank William Yeater (Grandpa) during musical number.

Choregrapher Portia Wells (with microphone) praises directors Tim and Michelle Benjamin, left, after the play while senior advisor and play producer Sam Brubaker observes.

Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious express concern in the flying car.

Dakota Cole as Boris hides under the car known as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Left: Marie Bucher as Baroness Bomburst, with the Baron (Nathaniel Rose) in the background. Right: Cheyenne Stansfield has several roles.

A dance routine with a number of performers during Act One.

Left: Alexis Atchie interacts with children in Act Two, in a scene shot from the stage wings. Right: Mia Manzer backstage in makeup for the role of The Childcatcher.

Left: Conlin Wysocki, center, sings a song with Maria and Scott Brubaker. Right: Olivia Lattin in one of her several ensemble roles.

Left: Chase Richtmyer as the spy named Goran. Right: Emily Manzer (left, as Miss Phillips) with Aislinn Klemann and Conlin Wysocki.

And Friday night:

The Potts children and Truly Scrumptious climb into the car known as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang while inventor Caractacus Potts starts the engine by cranking it.

William Yeater, as Grandpa, sings and dances with Scott and Maria Brubaker as Jeremy and Jemima Potts.

Chase Richtmyer, left, and Dakota Cole as spies Goran and Boris.

Phebe Wickham and Conlin Wysocki perform a musical number.

James St. Julien as Lord Scrumptious intimidates Conlin Wysocki's Caractacus Potts.

Left: In the pit band, Bernie Riley and daughter Samantha. Right: Aislinn Klemann.

The conclusion of a dance number in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" that employed dowels.

Left: Marie Bucher as Baroness Bomburst. Right: Nathaniel Rose as Baron Bomburst, as he is surprised by the appearance of the Childcatcher, played by Mia Manzer.

Dakota Cole, as the spy Boris, crawls stealthily along the stage floor in a First Act scene.

And from photographer Doug Yeater:

The conclusion of a musical number from Act One of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

Inventors played by Alix Mathews, Aislinn Klemann, James St. Julien, Joelle Slater, Emily Manzer and Jack Muir perform in an ensemble musical number in Act Two.

The Toymaker (Alexis Atchie, center) discusses matters with inventor Caractacus Potts.

And earlier in the week, at a dress rehearsal:

Phebe Wickham performs a song as the character Truly Scrumptious.

Left: Dakota Cole, left, and Chase Richtmyer as spies Boris and Goran. Right: Exchange student Marie Bucher as Baroness Bomburst.

From left: Alexis Atchie, Conlin Wysocki and Phebe Wickham in a scene from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

Marie Bucher and Nathaniel Rose as the Baroness and Baron Bomburst.

Left: Mia Manzer as the Childcatcher. Right: Conlin Wysocki as Caractacus Potts.

Members of the cast during musical number in Odessa-Montour's "Mary Poppins"

'Mary Poppins' ends O-M run

ODESSA, March 13, 2016 -- The Odessa-Montour High School spring musical, "Mary Poppins," completed its two-day, three-performance run Saturday night before an appreciative audience in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The play opened Friday night, and featured a matinee performance Saturday afternoon.

The play, under the direction of Holly Campbell, told the magical story of the nanny of the play's title, who descended into the lives of the Banks children, Jane and Michael, who had had a propensity for discouraging other nannies from staying for long. Amid dance numbers and familiar songs, Mary taught the children and their father, George, the importance of family.

A cast of 30 populated the stage for the play, presented by the OMCS Fine Arts Boosters. Musical direction was by Jennifer Kraemer, assisted by Ian MacDonald.

Songs included such longtime popular tunes as "Supercalifragilisticexpialido-cious," "Jolly Holiday,""Let's Go Fly a Kite" and "Chim Chim Cher-ee."

The title character was portrayed by freshman Hannah Rosier, while George and Winifred Banks were played by sophomore John Coates and senior Rosemary Peckham. The Banks children were portrayed by 7th grader Allison Heichel (as Jane) and 6th grader Molly Heichel (as Michael).

Bert was played by Logan Barrett, Admiral Boom by Jimito Willians, Neleus by Emelia Paulisczak, and the Bank Chairman by Justin Hickey. Many more actors rounded out the cast, including a group portraying a chorus of animated but somewhat sinister toys (Lovona Carrigan, Bronwyn Stermer, Casey Underdown, Cheyenne Barrett, Jaylin Rumsey, Jasmine Monroe, Emily Holton, Taylor Alton, Syria Tague and Emma Lodge).

Bright costumes, sharp acting, attractive scenery, compelling makeup, and sound musicality -- in the pit band and on the stage -- had the audience clapping and cheering repeatedly. And the crisp dance numbers -- with choreography by Manley Gavich and Shayne Jones -- added the final touches necessary to a successful entertainment.

Photos in text:

Top: Bert (Logan Barrett) and Mary Poppins (Hannah Rosier) dance during a musical number.
Middle: Hannah Rosier (Mary Poppins) greets the public after the play.
Bottom: Michael Banks (Molly Heichel) does a cartwheel during a song.

Left: The Banks children welcome Mary Poppins upon her return to their lives. Right: Bert (Logan Barrett, right) sings "A Spoonful of Sugar" to George Banks (John Coates).

Left: The Park Keeper (Noah Brewster) flies a kite. Right: Manley Gavich leaps during a musical number. He served as choreographer, too.

Left: Miss Andrew (Casey Underdown) -- a fearsome governess who succeeds Mary Poppins before Mary returns to save the day -- holds tightly to an alarmed Jane Banks (Allison Heichel) as Jane's mother (Rosemary Peckham) observes. Right: George Banks (John Coates) drops a vase in front of his wife (Rosemary Peckham).

And at Friday night's performance:

Members of the "Mary Poppins" cast in one of the play's dance numbers.

Left: Bronwyn Stermer as the Bird Lady. Right: Allison (left) and Molly Heichel as the Banks children, Jane and Michael.

A scene at the bank, with John Coates (left) as George Banks and Anthony Humphries as Northbrock, talking to Mary Poppins and the Banks children.

Logan Barrett as Bert the Chimney Sweep.

Mary Poppins (Hannah Rosier) with Jane Banks (Allison Heichel).

Left: Behind the scenes, makeup is applied by Jon Chapman. Right: Rosemary Peckham as Winifred Banks.

And earlier, at a dress rehearsal:

Members of the cast conclude a song-and-dance number in the play "Mary Poppins."

Left: Mary Poppins measures the personality of Michael Banks. Right: Hannah Rosier as Mary Poppins.

Bert talks to Michael and Jane Banks while leaning on Neleus, who soon comes alive.

Left: Mary Poppins introduces herself to Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Right: Mary in the park with a dancing Bert.

Lifeguard exams set at Odessa-Montour

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Feb. 29 --   The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation says that statewide qualifying procedures for lifeguards will be held in the Finger Lakes Region on the following dates:

--Saturday, March 19, 2016, at Odessa-Montour High School, 11:00 a.m.
--Friday, April 8, 2016, at Odessa-Montour High School, 5:30 p.m.
--Friday, April 22, 2016, at Odessa-Montour High School, 5:30 p.m.

Odessa-Montour High School is located at 300 College Avenue, Odessa, NY.

The exam will begin at 11:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. sharp depending on the day of the exam. Candidates are encouraged to arrive one hour prior to the exam to register and are given an opportunity to practice their CPR skills.

All exams are open to new candidates as well as returning lifeguards. The qualifying procedures evaluate practical lifesaving skills and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills. All items of the examination are evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

Candidates are required to bring their picture ID and their own pocket masks for the CPR portion of the exam.

Starting pay for lifeguards is $13.27 per hour.

Candidates must pre-register by either calling the Finger Lakes State Parks Regional Office at (607)387-7041, ext. 104 or by e-mail at Andrew.Chouinard@parks.ny.gov.

MUNAGI preps with dinner caucus

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 26 -- Watkins Glen High School's Model United Nations and Global Issues Class (MUNAGI) met for its first caucus on Thursday night, February 25.

The delegates gathered at teacher Marie Fitzsimmons’ lovely abode to have a formal debate on the issue of human trafficking.

Eleven countries were represented: Malaysia by Patrick Hazlitt, Myanmar  by Jacob Carocci, Germany  by Jared Prien, Vietnam  by Kris Ayres, China by Sam Hanley, Russia by Alexis Bingham, Columbia by William Fitzsimmons, Venezuela by Aidan DeBolt, Syria by Hannah Pulis, Brazil by Alex Gibson and Thailand by Katherine Taylor.

The delegates had a spirited debate on both the causes and possible solutions for this international crisis and determined a 12-point resolution that, after much negotiation, was unanimously passed. The delegates were persuaded by both the convincing arguments and the promise of dinner if a resolution was achieved.

The dinner caucus was a precursor to the group traveling to Cornell for the Model United Nations, where 500 delegates will be  competing under 15 different committees at the four-day conference. Students at Watkins Glen High School have been competing at Cornell Model United Nations since 2007.

The class will be hosting its annual International Night on March 10 at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Speakers will include students from France, Bulgaria, China, Brazil, the Ukraine , and India. Malawi will be represented by MUNAGI student Will Fitzsimmons. The dinner will include ethnic dishes from around the world. Tickets can be purchased  from any MUNAGI student: $5 for students, $7 for adults. E-mail mfitzsim@gstboces.org to reserve, as tickets are limited.

Photo in text: With the resolution reached, dinner was served. (Photo provided)

From left: Models Logan Barrett, Lovona Carrigan, Jacob Edger, April Dunn, Tyler Clark

Show features gowns, tuxedos

ODESSA, Feb. 19 -- Twenty different gowns and an equal number of tuxedos were on display Friday on the Fetter-Brown Auditorium stage at Odessa-Montour High School -- an annual show in advance of the school's prom.

The prom is set for Friday, May 8 at the Watkins Glen International Media Center, and as usual attendees will be resplendent in their attire. Students on stage and in the audience got a good look at some of the available fashions.

Each girl modeling on Friday was able to pick out the dress to wear in the show. The tuxedos were selected by the host store, Bonjulies of Horseheads. Simply Your Best Salon owner JoAnna Scott donated her time to style the girls' hair.

The models, each from O-M, included:

Gowns: Danielle Fuschilo, Gabby Cain, April Dunn, Angeleah Holton, Courtney Brown, Alyssa Crout, Lovona Carrigan, Paxtyn Brown, Emma Raymond, Amy Fudala, Megan Williams, Maddie Lodge, Henna Herrmann, Hailey Menzi, McKenna Carberry, Dasia Herrmann, Tierra Terwillegar, Kassi Snyder, Samantha Potter and Rosie Peckham.

Tuxedos: Bryce Elliott, Tony Humphries, Tyler Clark, Justin Hickey, Luke Eberhardt, Grace Edger, Jacob Edger, James Terry, Ryan Taylor, Andy Fudala, Logan Barrett, Jimito Williams, Chris Foote, Kyle Frasier, Joel Kelly, James Randolph and Nick Sgrecci.

Photo in text: Emma Raymond (Photos by Charlie Haeffner)

Left: Paxtyn Brown and James Terry. Right: Rosie Peckham.

From left: Alyssa Crout, Nick Sgrecci and Angeleah Holton.

Left: Amy Fudala. Right: Dasia Herrmann and Tyler Clark.

Left: Tierra Terwillegar. Right: Kassi Snyder and James Randolph.

Left: Courtney Brown and Luke Eberhardt. Right: Maddie Lodge and Jimito Williams.

Left: Danielle Fuschilo and Bryce Elliott. Right: Henna Herrmann.

UPK open house set for March 1 in Glen

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 18, 2016 -- The Watkins Glen Elementary School will host a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) open house from 5 to 6 p.m. March 1 in Room 454. Families who live in the Watkins Glen Central School District and have a child who will be four years old by December 1, 2016, are invited to attend.

The event will include a tour of the UPK classrooms, refreshments, information and registration assistance.

Children in the Watkins Glen school district who will be four years old by December 1, 2016 are eligible to participate in the UPK program during the 2016-17 school year. The program emphasizes early literacy and numeracy and promotes positive social-emotional, physical and intellectual development.

The program is provided through the district and Schuyler Head Start and is free for district residents. Transportation is provided.

For more information on the open house or the district’s UPK program, contact Christin Bresett at 535-3219 x1454 or cbresett@wgcsd.org, or Schuyler Head Start at 535-6814.

B.C. Cate to offer full-day UPK in Fall

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 18, 2016 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to attend a full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program this September at B.C. Cate Elementary School.

If your child resides in the Odessa-Montour Central School District and will be four years old on or before December 1, 2016, he/she is eligible for this program.

To express your interest in the full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, call the school at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Thursday, March 24.

WGHS Exchange Student set to speak

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 3 -- Marie Bucher, exchange student at the Watkins Glen High School, will be the speaker at Books Sandwiched In at the Watkins Glen Library, 610 S. Decatur Street, on Wednesday Feb.10 at noon.

Bucher is from Metz in northeastern France, and will share her reflections on life in the Finger Lakes in comparison to life in her home country. Her hobbies are theater and piano, and she hopes to make a career in theater and/or journalism.

The Friends of Watkins Library will provide coffee, tea and dessert. All are invited. For more information contact the library at 607-535-2346 or email watkins@stls.org

Teemley named to FLCC Dean's List

CANANDAIGUA, NY, Feb. 2 -- Kaylyn Teemley of Montour Falls has been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2015 semester at Finger Lakes Community College.

A total of 499 students from around the state earned the honor. To be eligible, full-time students enrolled in a degree or certificate program at the school must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and have completed 12 or more credit hours.

WGFA leads service project

Collects new socks and underwear for people in need

The following was written by Watkins Glen Faculty Association members Travis Durfee and Jeanette Lasko.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 21 -- In an effort to help our community, the Watkins Glen Faculty Association (WGFA) led a holiday service campaign this year.

“I was inspired by the story out of the Rochester area about a boy named Trevor George, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 6,” said Jeanette Lasko, a member of the WGFA executive board.
 
His community wanted to do something in his honor, and decided to create the Trevor’s Toes and Tushies event to collect socks and underwear for children in need.
 
“I thought it was such a great and useful collection,“ Lasko said. “I pitched the idea to the WGFA executive board about continuing this endeavor and gathering donations of the essentials for people in our community. We decided to collect new socks and undies for all ages, in all sizes, styles, and colors.”

WGFA members set up collection bins in the schools and at various points around town. The response from the school and the community was awesome. The union collected a large amount of packaged essentials and delivered them to Catholic Charities to use in their Schuyler Outreach clothing distribution program this month.

“We think this is something that folks will really appreciate,” Lasko said. “When people encounter a calamity that causes them not to have clothes, they really do not want second-hand essentials. We chose to give these things to Catholic Charities for families that are suffering financially, or have been victims of unemployment, domestic violence or natural events like fires or floods. Socks and underwear might not always be in the budget, but people shouldn’t have to go without these things. New essentials can really make all the difference.”

WGFA extends its gratitude for all of its partners in the holiday drive: Absolute Auto, Chemung Canal Bank, Elmira Savings Bank, Famous Brands, Unique Country Boutique, Visions Federal Credit Union, the United States Post Office in Watkins Glen, and the Watkins Glen Central School District. Special thanks go to the Montour Falls Dollar General, which donated some surplus stock to the campaign. 

Photos in text:

Top: WGFA members, left to right: Mary Rodgers (treasurer), Travis Durfee (president), Jeanette Lasko (grievance chair), Liam O’Kane (vice president).

Bottom: At the drop-off, left to right: Kristine Morseman (Catholic Charities), Jeanette Lasko and Mary Rodgers (WGFA). (Photos provided)

The trumpet section of the High School Band performs "Majestia" at Tuesday's concert.

Watkins school holds Winter Concert

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 8 -- Watkins Glen 7th through 12th grade students performed Tuesday night in a Winter Concert in the high school auditorium.

The 7th/8th Grade Chorus sang three songs: "Autumn Fires," "Da Pacem Domine," and "Chantez Alleluiah," while the 7th/8th Grade Band performed "Jingle Bells Around the World," "Do You Want To Build a Snowman?" and "Incantation and Ritual."

The High School Chorus sang four songs, the girls performing "Annie Laurie," the boys "Homeward Bound," and the entire chorus "White Winter Hymnal" and "Somewhere Out There."

The High School Band played "Majestia," "Star Wars (Main Theme)," "Sleigh Ride" and "Last Ride of the Pony Express."

Combined 7th through 12th grade ensembles led the audience in "A Holiday Sing-Along."

The bands were under the direction of Mrs. Diana Groll, and the choruses were led by Mr. Matthew Craig. Mrs. Sally Michel served as choral accompanist.

Photos in text: Male and female members of the High School Chorus performed both separately (in the two photos) and together.

Left and center: Members of the 7th/8th Grade Band. Right: In the High School Band.

The 7th/8th Grade Chorus performs at the concert, directed by Mr. Matthew Craig.

National Honor Society inductees at Odessa-Montour pose following the ceremony. Back row, from left: Nicholas Sgrecci, Alyssa Lindsley, Kayla Dundas, Andrew Ink and Gillian Clark. The others, from left: Meagan Terry, Nakiaha Robinson, Erin Kleist, Hailey Perraut, Elisha House and Starr Cole.

11 join National Honor Society at O-M

ODESSA, Dec. 2 -- Eleven Odessa-Montour High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society Wednesday night during a ceremony in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

Joining the Society were:

--Gillian Clark (introduced by Tyler Clark);
--Starr Cole (introduced by Mechel Wead);
--Kayla Dundas (introduced by Olivia Scata);
--Elisha House (introduced by Alyssa Crout);
--Andrew Ink (introduced by Emelia Paulisczak);
--Erin Kleist (introduced by Madison Lodge);
--Alyssa Lindsley (introduced by Logan Barrett);
--Hailey Perraut (introduced by Paxtyn Brown);
--Nakiaha Robinson (introduced by Sage Garrison);
--Nicholas Sgrecci (introduced by Collin Povoski);
--Meagan Terry (introduced by James Terry).

The ceremony featured the lighting of candles signifying Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character.

Chapter President Madison Lodge served as Guest Speaker, and Mrs. Kayla Kelly as Honored Speaker. High School Principal Skip McCarty provided Closing Remarks.

Photos in text: NHS member Emelia Paulisczak lights the Light of Character during Wednesday night's ceremony; and inductee Hailey Perraut (left) lights her candle from that of fellow inductee Alyssa Lindsley in another part of the ceremony.

Suddaby inducted into Honor Society

Special to The Odessa File

ITHACA, Nov. 24, 2015 -- Lindsey Suddaby, a sophomore Speech-Language Pathology major in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance at Ithaca College and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School, was inducted into the Oracle Honor Society on Nov. 2nd.

Founded in 1928, the Oracle Honor Society is a historic Ithaca College honor society that recognizes academic excellence.

Students who maintain a grade-point average in the top 10 percent of all students in their school throughout their first full academic year are invited into the society.

Glen schools, hospital set up health clinic

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 17 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District has partnered with Schuyler Hospital to establish a health clinic at the high school.

The clinic is available to district students in grades PreK-12 from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the high school health office and provides primary care for minor ailments or illnesses. Dr. Jamie Coleman coordinates the joint effort.

The purpose of the clinic is to offer care for ill or injured students that is convenient for parents or guardians. Parents may call the school heath office to request that their child be seen during one of the scheduled times. Dr. Coleman will provide a complete summary of each visit so parents can follow up with the family physician, if necessary.

Parents of students who may be provided care at the clinic are required to provide consent for any treatment as well as health insurance information. Treatment cannot be offered to any child who does not have the completed consent and insurance forms on file. Contact your child’s school for the necessary consent and insurance forms and return the completed forms to the school office.

“We’re excited to be able to provide this opportunity for the families in our district,” said Superintendent Tom Phillips. “This is evidence of how sharing community resources can result in comprehensive services for children and families in Schuyler County.”

For more information on the clinic, call the district office at 535-3220.

Grant will lead to Head Start expansion

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Sept. 3 -- Schuyler Head Start, which serves 3- to 5-year-old children and their families in Schuyler County who meet federal guidelines, has been awarded a federal grant that will help it expand services in December to include children 18 months to age 3, known as Early Head Start -- which is home-based only.

The funding was awarded to Schuyler Head Start due to its "community assessment of needs and its ability to provide service," according to a press release.

Head Start and Early Head Start programs, the release said, "support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5. In addition to education services, programs provide children and their families with health, nutrition, social, and other services. Head Start services are responsive to each child and family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage."

Head Start will now serve 80 children. For more information on services and eligibility requirements, visit www.schuylerheadstart.org or phone (607) 535-6814 to work with an enrollment manager.

Water aerobics sign-ups due Sept. 7

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Aug. 28, 2015 -- Odessa-Montour Central School (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) and Watkins Glen Central School (“Aqua Aerobics”) are hosting the next sessions of water aerobics classes, and registration time is upon us. Everyone over 18 is welcome.

Odessa-Montour’s sessions begin Monday, Sept. 14, and run for 8 weeks, with Thursday classes beginning September 17 and running from 7-8 p.m.

The next session at Watkins Glen Central School begins Tuesday, Sept. 15, for six sessions; classes run from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

All classes need sufficient registered participants to be scheduled, so organizers ask that those interested register by Sept. 7 to ensure that the classes are held. The cost is $7 per
class; walk-ins are welcome, too.

Register online at www.gstboces.org or call 607-739-8170 or 739-7905.

The classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

O-M welcomes new staff members

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Aug. 25 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District will welcome several new staff members this school year. They include:

-- Megan Field, High School Special Education teacher. Field is a graduate of Ithaca College and Florida Atlantic University. She taught elementary special education and math for 12 years in Palm Beach County, FL and high school special education for seven years in the Newfield Central School Distirct.

-- Pam Rugiero, 4th Grade teacher. Rugiero is a graduate of Elmira College and has experience as a kindergarten aide, a 2:1 aide and a substitute teacher in the Elmira City School District.

-- Melody Stadelmaier, AIS Math K-2. Stadelmaier is a 2011 Odessa-Montour graduate. She graduated from Wells College in 2014 and has substitute teaching experience at B.C. Cate Elementary.

-- Antara Dutta, 7th-8th Grade Mathematics. A native of Toronto, Canada, Dutta holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto. She earned a degree in Adolescence Education and Mathematics from Elmira College and has teaching experience in the Corning-Painted Post and Horseheads Central School Districts.

-- Ian MacDonald, K-6 Music Teacher. MacDonald is a graduate of Mansfield University and has degrees in both music education and vocal performance. He has two years of experience as a private voice instructor and has also worked as a sound technician and stage director.

Schuyler youths, adults attend national Substance Abuse Prevention conference

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 17 -- Adult and youth leaders from the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD) joined more than 1,500 substance abuse prevention specialists from across the country at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)’s 2015 Mid-Year Training Institute in Indianapolis Aug. 2-6.

The training offered courses geared toward helping participants find solutions to their community’s toughest substance abuse problems. Thanks to the Drug-Free Communities Support Grant, awarded to Schuyler County Public Health Department for SCCUDD last year, four coalition members were able to attend the week-long intensive training: two adults and two teens.

“Personally the CADCA youth training in Indianapolis was very beneficial to me as a person and as a SCCUDD member and also as a member of Schuyler County," said Kassandra Snyder, a senior from the Odessa-Montour Central School District. "The logic model we created in our training sessions is ready to be implemented upon our arrival home. Seeing that other kids my age feel the same way about drug use and underage drinking was a wonderful experience. It's not always easy to be the odd one out against your peers. But the CADCA youth training in Indianapolis has empowered me to make a change in my community. I'm so grateful to have been given this opportunity.”

“It was a fun learning experience meeting other kids who are working for the same cause with all different motives,” agreed Amber Updike, an 8th grader from the Watkins Glen Central School District.

At the training, SCCUDD members participated in a variety of lecture and hands-on sessions to expand their knowledge in prevention science and improve their skills in implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce drug and alcohol use. The training covered a wide range of topics -- everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and reduce heroin use to how to create tobacco-free environments, reduce impaired driving and develop policies to reduce marijuana use and underage drinking.

“The trainings we attended at CADCA’s 2015 Mid-Year will help us address the concerning levels of underage drinking and other drug use in Schuyler County,” said Deborah Dalmat, SCCUDD Project Coordinator.

This year’s Mid-Year featured a number of renowned experts in the field of substance abuse prevention, with keynote remarks by Michael Botticelli, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Kana Enomoto, Deputy Principal Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); and Karla Sneegas, Branch Chief for the CDC’s Office of Smoking and Health.

The mission of SCCUDD is to prevent, reduce and delay the onset of substance use among Schuyler County youth by collaborating with community partners, promoting prevention education and substance-free activities and implementing environmental strategies. SCCUDD’s vision is a connected community where youth have education, resources, and drug-free options to help their journey to become happy, healthy adults.

For more information, or to become involved with SCCUDD, visit SCCUDD online at www.schuylercounty.us/sccudd or follow SCCUDD on social media.

Photo in text: Kassandra Snyder (left) and Amber Updike draw their vision of a drug-free Schuyler County at the CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute. (Photo provided)

Francischelli is new Hanlon principal

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Aug. 11, 2015 -- Robert Francischelli has been selected as the new principal of H.A. Hanlon Elementary School in the Odessa-Montour Central School District, effective August 12.

Francischelli earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in school psychology from Alfred Universtiy and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in educational administration at the University of Rochester. He served as a building administrator and school psychologist at Bradford Central School District for the past three years and previously worked in the Jasper-Troupsburg and Fillmore school districts.

“I am very excited to begin working with the students, staff and community members of the Odessa-Montour Central School District,” said Francischelli. “I believe that my previous experiences working in small rural schools and communities will allow for a smooth transition into the district and school community. As the newly-appointed principal of H.A. Hanlon Elementary School, I look forward to building quality relationships with all stakeholders who share a common goal of student achievement and overall student success.”

“Rob comes highly recommended from Bradford, where he spent the past three years of his career,” said Superintendent Chris Wood. “Rob’s energy and unique outlook on education will be an asset to our administrative team. We believe he will bring new and innovative ideas to Hanlon Elementary.”

He succeeds Christine Williams, who has moved to Florida.

Photo in text: Robert Francischelli (Photo provided)

Catholic Charities seeks donations for School backpack, supplies program

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, July 30 -- In partnership with local businesses, Catholic Charities is requesting the public's help in preparing kids for a successful school year. Now through August 17, the following local businesses will be collecting new and like-new backpacks and new school supplies to benefit local, Schuyler County kids in need:

--Famous Brands, Watkins Glen
--The Hi-Lites, Watkins Glen
--Parmenter Tire, Auto & Truck Service, Odessa, Montour Falls & Horseheads
--Primary Care Center, Montour Falls
--Quinlan’s Pharmacy, Montour Falls
--Watkins Glen Public Library

The drive, said a Catholic Charities press release, "is off to a wonderful start with some bins overflowing at local businesses! But there is always room for more as Catholic Charities has a goal of collecting 200 backpacks for children and teens."

Donations of backpacks and school supplies will also be accepted at Catholic Charities:
Schuyler Outreach, 112 Tenth Street, Watkins Glen: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Fridays 12 noon-4 p.m., and August 13 from 6-8 p.m. Monetary donations may be sent to Catholic Charities, 607 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 or made online at cs-cc.org. Iindicate "Schuyler County Back to School Drive."

“As a mother/father/guardian, you want the best for your child,” said Lindsay Winters, Catholic Charities’ Director of Development. “But what if you couldn’t financially make ends meet? Can you imagine sending your child to school with a tattered backpack or without the needed school supplies for success? Please donate today. With the help of our local businesses, we can ensure all kids start the year off right.”

Catholic Charities’ Back to School Giveaway will be held at Schuyler Outreach on August 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (must be a Schuyler County resident). "From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.," said the press release, "we plan to offer free haircuts by local barbers and beauticians. There will not be a clothing giveaway at Schuyler Outreach this year. However, clothing is available year-round at Saint James' Episcopal Church’s Thrift Shop in Watkins Glen."

Bond graduates from University of Rochester

Special to The Odessa File

ROCHESTER, NY, July 2 -- Sarah Elizabeth Bond, a resident of Watkins Glen, graduated from the University of Rochester on Sunday, May 17, at the 165th commencement with a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry. She graduated cum laude.

Bond is a child of Christopher and Michelle Bond, and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School.

The University of Rochester, founded in 1850, is a private research university on the south shore of Lake Ontario that emphasizes a broad liberal education through majors, minors, and course “clusters” -- a Rochester innovation -- in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences/engineering.

Glen district offers free summer meals

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 25 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District will offer free breakfast and lunch to children and teens aged 18 years old and younger this summer.

The Summer Food Service Program will run Monday through Friday at two sites in Schuyler County. Meals will be served at the Watkins Glen High School cafeteria (310 12th Street) from 7:50-8:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on weekdays between June 29 and August 14.

Meals also will be served at the Watkins Glen Lakeside Park pavilion. Breakfast will be served weekdays from July 20 through July 31 between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served weekdays beginning June 29 and running through July 31 between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m.

No application is needed to participate in this program. There is no residency requirement. All meals must be eaten on site.

B.C. Cate teacher receives garden grant

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, June 17 -- James Nolan, a 2nd-grade teacher at the B.C. Cate Elementary School, recently received a Ross C. Hudson Grant of $1,000 given by the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association.

One of the objectives of the NYSRTA is to work toward the advancement of education in the State and Country. In an attempt to help meet that objective, NYRTA has developed a $1,000 grant to assist full-time educators with an innovative program or project. To be eligible for this grant an educator must be a full-time teacher-administrator in a public school system in the Southern Zone of the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association.

Mr. Nolan’s project is to bring to life the garden in the Courtyard of the B.C. Cate School in full view of the 200+ students in their classrooms. B.C. Cate, part of the Odessa-Montour School District, will soon be implementing new inquiry-based skills through F.O.S.S. (Full Option Science Systems). This new science curriculum focuses on inquiry-based learning and involves modules such as air and weather, insects and plants, and animals. Mr. Nolan’s garden will provide students studies in New York native plant species, planters, and gardening materials for upkeep -- and a weather station to track, measure and record temperatures, precipitation and weather trends.

Bird feeders and habitats to support the animal and insect population will also be part of the garden.

Officers of the NYSRTA Southern Zone were on hand to present the grant to Mr. Nolan. They were Vince Smith, President; Donald Cutton, Scholarship Chair; Mary Lou Wood, Public Relations Chair; Lois Cutton, Treasurer; Debbi Deats, Secretary; Bonnie Stratton, Membership Chair; and Helene Combopiano, Health Care Coordinator.

Photo in text: From left: O-M Superintendent Chris Wood, Vince Smith of NYSRTA, grant recipient James Nolan, B.C. Cate Principal Veronica Lewis, and NYSRTA's Donald Cutton. (Photo provided)

Elliott wins $1,000 Chamber scholarship

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 11 -- Watkins Glen High School senior Mikayla Elliott has been selected by the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Business & Education Committee as winner of a $1,000 college scholarship.

Elliott was chosen from among a group of Bradford, Odessa-Montour, and Watkins Glen high schools seniors, and home-schooled students in Schuyler County, writing on the topic "Project Seneca."

Each applicant was instructed to select a Project Seneca project that is currently in progress, one that is written into the plan or one that he or she would like to see incorporated into the plan, and answer the following questions: 1) How will this specific project benefit the community? 2) Will Project Seneca impact the future decisions you make in terms of where you will settle down after graduation?

Elliott -- a daughter of Kirra Franzese and Mike Elliott, both of Watkins Glen -- plans to attend the University at Buffalo in the fall. She will be presented her scholarship check at the Chamber’s Summer Rendezvous on July 15 at Watkins Glen State Park.

Left: Brenna Pierce and Lacie Denmark operate their boat, called "The Thunder." Right: The boat designated winner of "Best Design," with (from left) Drake Croft, Dylan Nguyen and Nicholas Bonsignore. (Photos provided)

Cardboard boat regatta

The 3rd grades at Watkins Glen Elementary School held their 13th annual Cardboard Boat Regatta Friday, June 5 in the Watkins Glen High School pool -- a culminating piece for a Buoyancy science unit. Twenty-four boats were constructed by students. Of the 24 boats, 18 remained buoyant, successfully finishing the race. The fastest time (1:14.03) was posted by the boat "Cool in Camo." T-shirts for each of the students and teachers were designed and provided by Watkins Glen Promotions. The regatta serves as a precursor of the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta held each year at the Seneca Harbor marina.

O-M holds annual Awards Assembly

ODESSA, June 8 -- Dozens of Odessa-Montour High School students were honored Monday at the annual Academic Awards Program in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The awards and the winners.

CONNIE TORPY JONES MEMORIAL AWARD – Hailie Searles

WELLS COLLEGE 21ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP AWARD – Olivia Scata

HONOR ROLL: This award is presented to students who have been on the Honor Roll (84.5 average) the first five marking periods this school year.

Freshmen: Cameron Adams, LeNay Duet, Kayla Dundas, Mia Force-Russell, Taylor Grover, Andrew Ink, Erin Kleist, Brycent Kot, Alyssa Lindsley, Trey McCarty, Nakiaha Robinson, Bronwyn Stermer, Meagan Terry
Sophomores: Breeana Bentley, Cameron Bryington, Alyssa Crout, Kyle Frasier, Sage Garrison, Alexander Grady
Juniors: Lovona Carrigan, Abigail Chapman, Tyler Clark, Angeleah Holton, Madison Lodge, James Terry, Brandon Voorhees
Seniors: Brooke Collins, Marissa Ferguson, Ian Hradisky, Ryan Marsh, Trenton Randall, Adrianna Rhodes, Charles Sidle, Callie Stillman, Brianna Struble, Autumn Taylor, Jamee Wade, Tela Wittig, Casey Zimmer

MATH DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Algebra – Cameron Bryington
Geometry – Breeana Bentley
Trigonometry – Logan Barrett
4 Year Math Awards – Logan Barrett, Brooke Collins, Adrianna Rhodes, Kate Ross, Olivia Scata, James Terry, James Williams, Frank Wood
5 Year Math Awards – Samantha House, Joseph Rorick, Hailie Searles, Tela Wittig

TECHNOLOGY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Certificate of Excellence in Technology: Frank Wood, Jeremiah Holley, Thomas Doan

HISTORY DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Excellence in Government – Frank Wood
Excellence in Economics – Frank Wood
Joseph Lemak Global Studies Award – Logan Barrett
Edward Banfi U. S. History Award – Meghan Coates

PHYSICAL EDUCATION BABE RUTH AWARDS – Hailie Searles and William Bacon
Grade 11 Physical Education Awards – Luke Eberhardt, Lovona Carrigan
Grade 10 Physical Education Awards – Emelia Paulisczak, Nicholas Sgrecci
9 Physical Education Awards – Hailey Perraut, William Tague

USMC Scholastic Excellence Award – Kate Ross

NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL TRIPLE C AWARD – Madison Lodge and James Terry

PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD – Zackary Griswold

ENGLISH AWARDS
English 9 Award – Cheyenne Barrett
English 10 Award – Emelia Paulisczak
English 11 Academic Excellence Award – Me’chel Wead
English 12 Academic Excellence Award – Callie Stillman
ACE English Academic Award – Meghan Coates

SPANISH AWARDS
Spanish II Achievement Awards – Cheyenne Barrett, Colin Marsh
Spanish III Achievement Awards – Kayla Dundas and Nicholas Sgrecci
Spanish IV Achievement Award – Kate Ross
ACE Spanish Achievement Award – Autumn Taylor

CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE AWARDS - Highest average for the school year:
Grade 9 – Cheyenne Barrett
Grade 10 – Emelia Paulisczak
Grade 11 – Me’chel Wead

BAUSCH AND LOMB HONORARY SCIENCE AWARD – Logan Barrett

BOYS STATE AWARDS – James Terry, James Williams

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER FREDRICK DOUGLAS AND SUSAN B.ANTHONY AWARD – Me’chel Wead

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Earth Science – Kyle Frasier
Living Environment – Madison Morse
Chemistry – Rosemary Peckham

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER GEORGE EASTMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD – Madison Lodge

NYS OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Hailie Searles

ELMIRA COLLEGE KEY AWARD – Olivia Scata and Logan Barrett

PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD:
9th Grade - Cameron Adams, Curtis Harris, Almon McCarty, Jonathan Myers
10th Grade – Cynthia Parez, Emelia Paulisczak
11th Grade – Logan Barrett, Starr Cole, Joel Kelly, James Williams
12th Grade – Brooke Collins, Dana Roberts, Hailie Searles, Charles Sidle, Frank Wood

RENSSELAER MEDAL – Logan Barrett

HIGH HONOR ROLL: This award is presented to students who have been on the High Honor Roll (89.5 average) the first five marking period this school year.

Freshmen: Cheyenne Barrett, Gillian Clark, Curtis Harris, Abigail Hauber, Elisha House, Shaunalynn Maddox, Hailey Perraut, Anna Ross, Carly Smith
Sophomores: Paxtyn Brown, Simonne Dewalt, Madison Morse, Emelia Paulisczak
Juniors: Logan Barrett, Steven Bennett, Starr Cole, Rosemary Peckham, Olivia Scata, Me’chel Wead
Seniors: Meghan Coates, Samantha House, Kate Ross, Hailie Searles, Frank Wood

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMPUTING MEDAL – Me’chel Wead and James Terry

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY AWARD – Rosemary Peckham and Logan Barrett

CLARKSON UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – April Dunn

CLARKSON UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARD – James Terry

RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE WOMEN OF INFLUENCE AWARD – Starr Cole

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER XEROX AWARD – James Williams

PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE: (Must have 90 average and College Entrance Exam Scores at or above the 85th Percentile) -- Maggie Coates, Hailie Searles and Tela Wittig

FOUR-YEAR HONORS: Seniors who have a 3-5/6 year average of 85 or above -- Heavyn Arias, Alexis Austin, Meghan Coates, Brooke Collins, Marissa Ferguson, Manley Gavich, Zackary Griswold, Ashley Hickey, Samantha House, Ian Hradisky, Nina Linton, Ryan Marsh, Sarah Norton, Trenton Randall, Joseph Raymond, Adrianna Rhodes, Dana Roberts, Joseph Rorick, Kate Ross, Hailie Searles, Charles Sidle, Tailith Smith, Shane Smith, Callie Stillman, Brianna Struble, Autumn Taylor, Jamee Wade, Tela Wittig, Frank Wood.

Photos in text:

From top: Logan Barrett with History teacher Greg Gavich; Maggie Coates, Emelia Paulisczak, Billy Tague and Hailie Searles.

WGHS holds annual Awards Assembly

WATKINS GLEN, June 4 -- Dozens of students received various awards and scholarships Thursday afternoon at the annual Watkins Glen High School Awards Assembly in the school auditorium.

Among the highlights:

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Awards:
Athletes: Madison Gates and Keith Rekczis
Scholastic Excellence Award: Colin DeMeritt
Semper Fidelis Award: Elizabeth Reed.

U.S. Army National Scholar Athletes: Luke Flahive and Justine Hulbert.

University of Rochester Awards:
Bausch & Lomb Science Award: Maggie Bond
Fredrick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award: Cheyenne Stansfield
George Eastman Young Leaders Award: Lucas Wickham
Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology: Brenen Murphy

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal: Claire McManus
Elmira College Key Awards: Megan Hoy and Ian Chedzoy
Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award: Brandon Pike
Clarkson University Achievement Award: Claire McManus
Clarkson University Leadership Award: Brandon Pike

Top Ten Recognition: Colin DeMeritt (valedictorian), Lydia Myers (salutatorian), LynnAnn Caslin, Madison Gates, Mikayla Elliott, Justine Hulbert, Alexandria Gardner, Halle Phillips, Elizabeth Reed and Alexis Gonzalez.

Math Recognition Awards:
Integrated Algebra Regents Award: Clara Chedzoy
Geometry Regents Award: Liam Fitch
Algebra II Regents Award: James St. Julien and Maggie Bond.

Ruth Warner Math Awards: Seth Swinnerton and Megan Chilson

Francis W. Blake Sportsmanship Awards: Amanda Cherock and Keith Rekczis
Edward Homan Physical Fitness Awards: Victoria Wixson and Joseph Palumbo
Barb Hughey Physical Education Awards: Justine Hulbert and Colin DeMeritt
Water Safety Award: Matt Doppel
Seneca Football Award: Bryce De La Osa Cruz
Dr. Arthur J. Jackson Award: Luke Flahive and Halle Phillips
Coach Joseph J. Lemak, Sr. Award: Jon Brown and Victoria Wixson
T.J. O'Rourke Award: Keith Rekczis
James Angelo, Sr. Basketball Award: Keith Rekczis
Melissa B. Wilson Basketball Award: Katherine Meehan

Pulitzer Prize of WGHS (journalism award): Abigail Rundle

Yearbook Dedication: Jim Murphy (retiring teacher)

Class Officer Election Results:

Class of 2016: Katherine Meehan president; Claire McManus vice-president; Bernadette Osborne secretary; Allison Teed treasurer.
Class of 2017: Abigail Miller president; Courtney Irwin vice-president, Aidan DeBolt secretary, Alexander Gibson treasurer.
Class of 2018: Hanley Elliott president; Clara Chedzoy vice-president, Paige Robbins secretary, Simon Wigmore treasurer.
Class of 2019: Wyatt Brower president, Joseph Chedzoy vice-president, Allison Gibson secretary, Dylan Markley treasurer.

Photos in text:

Top: Keith Rekczis makes his way toward the stage to receive one of several awards he won.
Second: Lucas Wickham is presented the George Eastman Young Leaders award..
Third: Amanda Cherock after receiving the Francis W. Blake Sportsmanship Award.
Fourth: Bryce De La Osa Cruz, winner of the Seneca Football Award.

Schuyler Scholars dinner set for June 17

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 2 -- The Schuyler Scholars Dinner for the Class of 2015 will be held at 6 p.m. June 17 at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen.

This event recognizes the top 10 percent of students graduating this year from the Bradford, Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen school districts. Each student will receive a plaque recognizing his or her achievement.

The event will feature two speakers: Joe Thomas, Professor of Operations Management at the Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University; and Ellie Fausold, a former Schuyler Scholar and during her high school career a three-time member of the Top Drawer 24 team of outstanding scholar-athlete-citizens. She later earned a BA with honors in Public Policy at Hamilton College, and now works for DC Greens, a nonprofit organization that uses the power of partnerships to support food education, access and policy in the nation's capital.

Ears were covered as the howitzer boomed.

A booming history lesson

Re-enactors bring Civil War alive for O-M students

ODESSA, May 26 -- The sound of a cannon being fired could be heard and felt in the vicinity of the Odessa-Montour Junior-Senior High School Tuesday -- the most emphatic of many points brought home to the school's 7th and 8th graders regarding the War Between the States, better known as the Civil War.

Re-enactors from the Binghamton and Odessa areas set up tents as they would have appeared during the war years of 1861-1865, and had on hand utensils, tools and weaponry from the era of that conflict.

The day, arranged by history teacher Marc Kimmerly in conjunction with Superintendent Chris Wood and members of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and that organization's Auxiliary, gave students -- primarily 7th graders but with some 8th graders invited too -- an eyes-on look at the era. The Civil War is on the 7th graders' radar as part of their studies this year.

Learning stations run by re-enactors in Civil War uniforms -- infantry, cavalry and artillery, each denoted by different colored uniform stripes -- were set up at three locations behind the O-M athletic field bleachers. At one, for instance, Gary Chapin of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War's Catlin Camp of Odessa joined Marie Decker of the group's Auxiliary in explaining a soldier's camping existence and in demonstrating the tools soldiers used in that era. Also available was a drink the military favored -- a concoction of apple cider vinegar, ginger, molasses, brown sugar and water, called various things, including Switchel.

Chief spokesman for the re-enactment was Douglas Deuel, commander of the Sons organization's Col. David Ireland Camp 137 of Binghamton. He is also a member of the Catlin Camp. He was showing students some of the weapons used in Civil War combat, including a rifle with a bayonet. One smaller item was a mini-ball, a sizable musket bullet which would shatter victims' bones when it struck them, and contributed mightily to the loss of limbs in battlefield surgeries. He pointed out, too, that of 620,000 casualties in the Civil War, more than half were caused by disease and inadequate shelter.

And to drive home the impact of war, he had with him his own personal cannon, an 1841 howitzer that he and fellow re-enactors lit for each group of students ushered out to the encampment site throughout the school day. One couple with him, Mary and Ed Welser of Maine, NY -- which is located near Binghamton -- have been lighting cannons like this at shows and educational programs for years. Now 86, Ed stood by and simply delivered the explosive charge to Deuel before each cannon firing.

The sound of each blast was stunning, as much felt as heard, as a ball of flame shot out the cannon barrel, along with a sudden cloud of thick smoke. "Make sure you leave your mouth open," Deuel told students before each blast, because that would help mitigate the shock. "And don't stick your fingers in your ears. That could turn out badly." Presumably someone, at sometime in the past, had reacted by jamming the covering fingers too deeply into the ear canal.

A couple of students were actually involved in the daylong presentation -- children of re-enactor Ted Dudgeon, who had helped coordinate the day. His son Casey, a 5th grader, was in a Union uniform, while Casey's sister Samantha, a 7th grader, was in a long gown emblematic of the Civil War period.

Deuel and the Welsers have been going around to schools and official re-enactments -- and been marching in parades -- for almost 15 years. This week they were doing two parades, and visiting three schools.

This was their first-ever visit to O-M, said Deuel.

Photos in text: Marie Decker explains the living quarters of a Civil War soldier; a bayonet-clad musket rests among soldiering supplies.

Left: Douglas Deuel shows to students a notebook full of ribbons won by him and his fellow re-enactors at Civil War competitions. Right: Ed Welser, who has been firing cannon during re-enactments for many years.

Re-enactor Gary Chapin tells students about some tools and other objects used by soldiers in the Civil War era.

Members of the High School Chorus sing "Royals," one of four songs they performed.

O-M presents its High School Spring Concert

ODESSA, May 27 -- The Odessa-Montour High School Band and Chorus presented their Spring Concert Tuesday night in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium. Also performing was a combined student-adult Women's Choir, singing "Danny Boy."

The band performed "March of the Belgian Paratroopers," "Yorkshire Ballad" and "The Irish Washerwoman."

The chorus performed "All Ye Who Music Love," "Royals," "What a Wonderful World" and "Shut de Do." Sally Michel served as accompanist.

*****

Photo in text: Members of the O-M High School Band perform "The Irish Washerwoman."

The O-M Women's Choir sings "Danny Boy."

Somerville on Dean's List at West Point

WEST POINT, N.Y., May 22 -- Cadet Brett Somerville, son of James and Kristine Somerville of Watkins Glen, has been named to the Dean’s List for the Spring Semester -- January through May -- at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

To earn this distinction, a cadet must maintain a 3.0 average in all courses. The West Point curriculum offers 37 majors balancing physical sciences and engineering with humanities and social sciences leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. Cadet Somerville is majoring is Engineering Psychology and will earn a minor in Civil Engineering.

Somerville graduated from Watkins Glen High School in 2012 and will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation at West Point.

Photo in text: Cadet Brett Somerville (Photo provided)

Health-care scholarships deadline nearing

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, May 23 -- Applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2015 for $1,000 scholarships the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary is awarding to students who plan to enter the health-care field.

Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school students who are residents of Schuyler County, and to hospital employees wishing to further their education in the health-care field.

Applications may be found on-line at www.schuylerhospital.org by clicking on the media release at the top right. Applications may also be picked up at high school guidance offices, and the Hospital’s Human Resources office.

For more information, email info@schuylerhospital.org, or contact Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary member Joan Argetsinger at (607) 535-6622.

The 5th-6th Grade Chorus combined with the 7th-8th Grade Chorus for two songs.

WGHS presents its Spring Concert

WATKINS GLEN, May 21 -- Watkins Glen High School held its annual Spring Concert Wednesday night, drawing a capacity crowd to the school auditorium.

Bands and choruses from the 5th through 12th grades performed, drawing repeatedly loud and sustained applause.

The 5th-6th Grade Band performed "This Old Band," "Siyahamba," "Rockin' Robin" and "Freedom's March," and then combined with the 7th-8th Grade Band for "Happy" from the film Despicable Me 2. Then the 7th-8th Grade Band played "Grand Canyon Overture," "Joy," and "Raiders March" from the film Raiders of the Lost Ark. 8th Grade Band members then played "Some Nights."

The 5th-6th Grade Chorus sang selected songs from "Oklahoma," and then offered "Consider Yourself." It then combined with the 7th-8th Grade Chorus for "Shenandoah" and "I'll Be There."

The High School Band played "All Glory Told," a Gustav Holst concert band selection, music from "Wicked," and "Prestissimo."

The High School Chorus concluded the evening with "Waitin' for the Light to Shine," "Over the Rainbow," "Africa," "Loves Me Like a Rock," and "Corner of the Sky."

Sarahjane Harrigan was the 5th-6th Grade Band director. Diana Groll directed the 7th-8th Grade and High School Bands. Matthew Craig was the choral director, with Sally Michel serving as accompanist.

There was also a student art show in the hallway outside the auditorium under the auspices of art teachers Dawn Coleman and Elaine Wojtus.

Photos in text: Claire McManus (top) plays violin in the High School Band; and members of the High School Chorus sing "Waitin' for the Light to Shine."

Left: Members of the combined 5th-6th Grade and 7th-8th Grade bands.
Right: In the horn section of the 7th-8th Grade Band.

Among the senior honorees were Victoria Wixson, left, receiving a certificate from Superintendent Tom Phillips, and Lucy Craig, right.

WGHS ceremony honors Top 10%

WATKINS GLEN, May 19 -- Forty-seven Watkins Glen High School students in grades 9 through 12 were honored Tuesday night for achieving academic status in the Top 10% of their respective classes.

The honors were based on academics for the current school year only. The ceremony took place in the WGHS cafeteria.

Each honoree received a certificate that read: "Watkins Glen High School is pleased to recognize (name). In honor of outstanding academic achievement as part of the Top Ten Percent of the Class of (Year). For the school year 2014-2015."

Introductory remarks were issued by High School Principal Kai D'Alleva, and closing remarks by Superintendent Tom Phillips. Guest speaker was Darcy L. Wood, a lawyer and Labor Relations Specialist who graduated from WGHS in 2002. She is currently employed by GST BOCES.

She said three things she learned in high school that she uses today are Perseverance, Integrity and Versatility.

"To persevere is to succeed," she said, adding that integrity comes from "a moral compass that you all have within you. Go with your heart and go with your head, trusting your moral compass" in challenging situations.

Versatility, she said, means "to adapt to a situation. I was and am able to fit into many different situations and settings," and so can the students. "Treat everyone with the same respect. It will serve you well."

Superintendent Phillips distributed the certificates to the honorees. The recipients:

Freshmen: Emilia Bond, Clara Chedzoy, Gabriella Decker, Hanley Elliott, Mariah Gonzalez, Meghan Hayes, Torie Hill, Ryanna LaMoreaux, Wyatt Mosher, Tanner Ryan, Jazmin Shea, Julian Thornton, Trevor Thurston and Kaitlyn Valla.

Sophomores: Jacob Carocci, Ruthe Gardner, Sara Gardner, Alexander Gibson, Rong Hang Lin, Joelle Slater, Payton Watson, Cambria Weeden and Phebe Wickham.

Juniors: Emma Allington, Margaret Bond, Claire McManus, Katherine Meehan, Brenen Murphy, Brandon Pike, Cheyenne Stansfield, Portia Wells and Lucas Wickham.

Seniors: Lucy Craig, LynnAnn Caslin, Colin DeMeritt, Mikayla Elliott, Luke Flahive, Alexandria Gardner, Kalea Jones, Alexandra Joslyn, Dean Laughlin Jr., Tamijah Lawton-Stone, Lydia Myers, Courtney Perrone, Halle Phillips, Elizabeth Reed and Victoria Wixson.

Photos in text:

Top: Sophomore Phebe Wickham receives a certificate from Superintendent Tom Phillips.
Middle: Guest speaker Darcy Wood, a 2002 graduate of WGHS and now an attorney.
Bottom: Junior Katherine Meehan is presented her certificate by the superintendent.

Sophomore Cambria Weeden receives her certificate from Superintendent Tom Phillips. High School Principal Kai D'Alleva is in the background.

The freshmen present to receive certificates were, from left, Trevor Thurston, Gabi Decker, Hanley Elliott, Meghan Hayes and Torie Hill.

7th graders plan water-project celebration

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 14 -- Watkins Glen seventh-graders will close a successful fundraising campaign for the Water for South Sudan charity with a celebration, planned for 8:15 a.m. May 22 at the High School football field. Lynn Malooly, the U.S. Executive Director of Water for South Sudan, will be the keynote speaker at the event.

During the fall, seventh-graders read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, which tells the story of Nya, an 11-year-old girl in South Sudan who must travel two hours from her home twice a day to get the only water available for her family. The book also tells the story of Salva Dut, founder of Water for South Sudan.

After reading the story, students were inspired to take action and decided to lead the district in a fundraising campaign for the charity. Their goal was to raise $15,000, which is the amount it takes to build a well for a village in South Sudan. They made more than 48 presentations within the district in a single day, spoke to community organizations, sent letters to local businesses and held several fundraising events.

“This group of less than 100 seventh-grade students had such a powerful impact on this generous community that the funds were raised in just over four months,” said Tammy Kellogg, seventh grade-advisor.

Kellogg said the response of district families and the entire community was impressive. Although students reached their fundraising goal in March, they waited for warm weather to hold a district-wide celebration for their feat. The public is invited to attend.

The latest National Honor Society inductees after Wednesday's ceremony.

WGHS welcomes 15 into Honor Society

WATKINS GLEN, May 14 -- Fifteen Watkins Glen High School students were inducted Wednesday evening into the school's chapter of the National Honor Society.

The ceremony took place before family and friends in the school auditorium, with veteran Society members onstage providing introductory speeches about each inductee.

Joining the Society -- which already had 36 members -- were Ashley Gardner, Sonja Pruitt, Madeleine Ross, Allison Teed, Jacob Carocci, Ruthe Gardner, Sara Gardner, Patrick Hazlitt, Courtney Irwin, Abigail Miller, Sara Morrisette, Brienna Solomon, Cambria Weeden, Phebe Wickham and Payton Watson. After each was introduced, he or she donned a ceremonial robe.

They joined members Abigail Rundle, Alexandria Gardner, Alexis Gonzalez, Ashley Palmer, Bernadette Osborne, Brandon Pike, Brenen Murphy, Brooke Shaffer, Cheyenne Stansfield, Claire McManus, Colin DeMeritt, Elizabeth Reed, Halle Phillips, Ian Chedzoy, Jon Brown, Justine Hulbert, Katherine Meehan, Kalea Jones, Keith Rekczis, Keziah Fraboni, Lucas Wickham, Lucy Craig, Luke Flahive, Lydia Myers, LynnAnn Caslin, Madison Gates, Maggie Bond, Megan Dupuy, Megan Hoy, Mikayla Elliott, Noah Wigmore, Portia Wells, Samantha Bradley, Tamijah Lawton-Stone, Taylor Kennard and Taylor Yaw.

A piano prelude was performed by Taylor Kennard. During the ceremony, NHS President Colin DeMeritt, Vice President Halle Phillips and members LynnAnn Caslin and Lucy Craig lit candles signifying the four qualities of the NHS: Leadership, Scholarship, Service and Character.

Phillips also presented a $250 check on behalf of the National Honor Society to the Defense for Devon foundation, in memory of WGHS graduate Devon Shaw, who died of cancer nearly two years ago. Devon's sister, Kendra Shaw, and mother, Diana Crane, accepted it. Another $250 is being donated by the NHS to the Humane Society of Schuyler County.

Photos in text:

Top: From left, inductees Sara Gardner, Abigail Miller and Courtney Irwin.

Second: From left, inductees Sonja Pruitt, Patrick Hazlitt and Jacob Carocci.

Third: From left, inductees Brienna Solomon, Ashley Gardner and Madeleine Ross.

Fourth: From left, inductees Allison Teed, Phebe Wickham and Sara Morrissette.

Bottom: From left, inductees Ruthe Gardner, Payton Watson and Cambria Weeden.

Candles play a key role in National Honor Society ceremonies.

BOCES students place at HOSA event

Special to The Odessa File

HORSEHEADS, May 7 -- GST BOCES students from the New Visions Health Careers Exploration and Nurse Assisting programs at the Bush Education Center and the New Visions Medical program at the Coopers Education Center competed in the New York State HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) conference on April 15-17 in Syracuse. Students placed in the following categories:

First Place, Biomedical Debate: Shelby Brost (Elmira), Lucy Craig (Watkins Glen), Sierra Barr (Elmira), Aleena Jamison (Edison)

First Place, Creative Problem Solving: Danielle Fuller-Sincock (Horseheads), Carolyn O’Mara (Horseheads), Sara McCawley (Horseheads), Emily Thomas (Elmira)

First Place, Public Service Announcement: Yassine Dahlek (Horseheads), Allyson Marshall (Horseheads), Paige Bailey (Horseheads), Kurt Walburn (Horseheads)

First Place and a $1000 scholarship, Public Health: Shelby Brost (Elmira), Sierra Barr (Elmira), Aleena Jamison (Edison)

First Place, Job Seeking Skills: Paige Bailey (Horseheads)

First Place, Healthy Lifestyles: Sarah Turck (Elmira)

First Place, Researched Persuasive Speaking: Kurt Walburn (Horseheads)

First Place, Transcultural Health Care: Madeline Ustanik (Corning-Painted Post)

Second Place, Creative Problem Solving: Lucy Craig (Watkins Glen), Justine Hulbert (Watkins Glen), Olivia O’Shell (Horseheads)

Second Place, Extemporaneous Writing: Jenna Post (Edison)

Second Place, Extemporaneous Health Poster: Kasandra Snyder (Odessa-Montour)

Second Place, Medical Terminology: Francesco Summa (Corning-Painted Post)

Second Place, Medical Reading: Alison Clark (Corning-Painted Post)

Third Place, Biomedical Debate: Danielle Fuller-Sincock (Horseheads), Yassine Dahlek (Horseheads), Carolyn O’Mara (Horseheads), Emily Thomas (Elmira)

Third Place, Job Seeking Skills: Carissa Hamilton (Horseheads)

Third Place, Transcultural Health Care: Sydney Rutkoski (Corning-Painted Post)

Third Place, Medical Terminology: Alexandra Carl (Corning-Painted Post)

Third Place, Growth and Development: Sarah Allen (Corning-Painted Post)

The Bradford "Diamond Head Hibiscuses," Schuyler County-winning Envirothon team. From left: Elizabeth McIlwain, Jesse English, Kara Waters, Derek Sorber and Brooke Scott.

Bradford wins Envirothon; O-M second

Special to The Odessa File

OWEGO, May 3 -- Bradford Central School was the Schuyler County winner of the Regional Envirothon held at the Tioga County Sportsmen’s Center on Thursday, April 30, barely defeating Odessa-Montour for the second year in a row.

The "Diamond Head Hibiscuses" (Elizabeth McIlwain, Jesse English, Katra Waters, Derek Sorber and Brooke Scott) came in first out of seven teams from Schuyler County and were fifth overall out of the 33 teams competing from five counties: Schuyler, Chemung, Broome, Tioga and Tompkins.

One Watkins Glen student, Colton Arcangeli, was on the winning team for Chemung County, the "Wicked Weasels" of GST (Greater Southern Tier) BOCES. This team also came in second overall.

The "Hibiscuses" will represent Schuyler County at the New York State Envirothon at Hobart & William Smith Colleges on May 27 and 28, while "The Wicked Weasels" will represent Chemung County.

The Odessa-Montour "Otters" -- Nina Linton, Callie Stillman, Tela Wittig, Hailie Searles and Autumn Taylor -- were this year’s Schuyler County second-place team, and were sixth overall out of the 33 teams. The O-M "Martens" (Jerry Jordan, Gage Sayre, Madison Lodge and Bryce Elliott) came in third in the county. Three other Schuyler County students -- Tory Pries of O-M, Cody Austic of Watkins Glen and Zach Roorda of Horseheads -- were on two other teams for (GST) BOCES.

This outdoor education event, organized by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, saw 36 Schuyler students participating this year. Battling for the chance to represent their county at the statewide event, the students’ knowledge was put to the test as the teams completed tough exams in Aquatics, Soils, Forestry, Wildlife, and this year’s Current Issue: "Urban/Community Forestry." One of the purposes of the Envirothon program is for participants to develop a greater appreciation of human dependence on the natural environment.

Essential support for the Envirothon is provided by the school science teachers, the school districts and also local businesses who donate funds for financial support. This year’s Schuyler County Envirothon sponsors, to date, are: Cotton-Hanlon Inc., Watkins Glen Elks Lodge #1546, Sawmill Creek Vineyards, Reisinger’s Apple Country, Lakewood Vineyards, Montour Falls Moose Lodge #426, David L. Sidle Insurance Agency, Specchio Ford, and the Watkins Glen Fire Company.

The Bradford teams are coached by high school science teacher Rebecca Schrader; the Odessa- Montour teams by science teacher Doug Chapman; and the BOCES teams by Don MacNaighton.

The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District provides programs and services to help residents and communities manage and protect the natural resources of Schuyler County.

Photos in text:

Top: The Odessa Montour "Otters," second-place Envirothon team for Schuyler County. From left: Nina Linton, Callie Stillman, Tela Wittig, Hailie Searles and Autumn Taylor.

Bottom: The O-M Martens, third-place team for Schuyler County. From left: Jerry Jordan, Gage Sayre, Madison Lodge and Bryce Elliott. (Photos provided)

The Odessa-Montour and Bradford Central School Envirothon participants pose for a group photo. (Photo provided)

WG School Board plans budget hearing

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 30 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2015-16 budget at 5:45 p.m. May 5. The meeting will be held in the Board of Education room at the High School.

The board has proposed a $25,557,076 budget for 2015-16. If the budget is approved, homeowners in the district could expect an estimated tax increase of about $ 0.11 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The proposed budget would add an additional art teacher and increase the district’s technology coordinator from a part-time to full-time position.

District residents will vote on the budget from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 19 in the Board of Education room at the High School.

Hospital Auxiliary offers scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 29 -- The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary is offering scholarships to students who plan to enter the health care field.

$1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school students who are residents of Schuyler County, and to hospital employees wishing to further their education in the health care field.

Applications may be found on-line at www.schuylerhospital.org, by clicking on the media release at the top right. Applications may also be picked up at high school guidance offices, the Hospital’s Human Resources office – located inside the new Main Entrance of the Hospital.

Applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2015.

For more information, email info@schuylerhospital.org, or contact Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary member Joan Argetsinger at (607) 535-6622.

Candidate lineups set for Board elections

SCHUYLER COUNTY, April 20 -- There are five candidates running for three seats on the Odessa-Montour School Board, and four candidates running for two seats on the Watkins Glen School Board in the May 19 elections.

Terms are for three years.

Petitions were filed at O-M by incumbents Robert Halpin (the board president, pictured at right) and Karen Rock, and by newcomers Debora Fellwock, Todd Martens and Jeff Parmenter. Incumbent Damita Chamberlain is not seeking re-election.

Petitions at Watkins Glen were filed by incumbent Kelly McCarthy along with Jim Somerville, Barbara Schimizzi and Kristina Hansen. Not seeking re-election: incumbent Michael Myers, the board president.

Elections are held the same day as the vote on school district budgets. Voting at Watkins Glen takes place from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., while voting at O-M is from 12 noon-8 p.m.

Photo in text: O-M School Board president Robert Halpin (File photo)

Reed proposes 'Opt Out' legislation

Special to The Odessa File

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 20 -- Congressman Tom Reed announced legislation Monday that would empower parents to opt their children out of Common Core testing without any negative repercussions on teachers or their local school district.

The legislation, Reed said, is designed to prevent states from reducing levels of funding to school districts simply because parents have opted their children out of Common Core testing.

Reed made the following statement:

“I support the right of parents to make decisions regarding the education of their children. Parents should play an active role in determining what standardized tests their children take. Tens of thousands of parents have already opted their children out of required public school testing, a protest against Common Core curriculum and the philosophy of `teaching to the test.’ This action has sent a clear message to lawmakers: parents should decide what is in their child’s best interest, not bureaucrats in Albany or Washington.

"I care about our local students, teachers, and taxpayers. Local school districts should not be penalized simply because taxpayers are exercising their parental rights. It is not fair that local school districts could be designated as 'failing' or lose funding due to higher opt-out numbers. This legislation protects property taxpayers by ensuring that teachers, administrators, and school districts will not be adversely affected by opting students out of the Common Core tests.”

Chamber scholarship topic: Project Seneca

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 31 --As in years past, the Business and Education Committee of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a $1,000 scholarship to high school
seniors in the Bradford, Odessa-Montour, and Watkins Glen schools, and home school students in the respective districts. To apply, students must complete an application and submit a response to the topic selected by the committee by April 10.

The 2015 topic is Project Seneca.

Applicants must select a project within the Project Seneca plan that is currently in progress, a project that is already written into the plan, or a project that he or she would like to see incorporated into the plan.

Applicants must then answer the following questions in their response:

1) How will this specific project benefit the community?
2) Will Project Seneca impact the future decisions you make in terms of where you will settle down after graduation?

Applicants may use one of three options to answer the topic questions: a 500-1500 word essay, a 3-5 minute video, or a 4-12 slide slideshow.

Completed applications and accompanying responses must be submitted by April 10 to the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, 214 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

For additional information, phone Katie Strawser at the Chamber at (607) 535-4300 or email:
katie@watkinsglenchamber.com.

Participating students display Leadership Awards they earned in the training. (Photo provided)

Students design programs to combat underage substance use in Schuyler

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 30 -- Twenty students from Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen Central School Districts came together on March 25 and March 26 for a 12-hour, interactive youth empowerment training -- where they learned the harmful effects of underage drinking, drug and alcohol refusal skills, and how to design, implement, and evaluate a drug prevention program.

Students were also taught leadership, advocacy and social marketing skills to help them reduce underage substance use in Schuyler County.

This training was sponsored by the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD) and was made possible by funding provided by the federal Drug-Free Communities grant awarded to SCCUDD late last year.

During the second day of the training, students broke into small groups and designed drug prevention programs to address underage substance use in Schuyler County. Student programs ranged from information dissemination campaigns to drug-free alternate activities for youth.

SCCUDD plans to help implement the programs the students designed, organizers said.

The mission of SCCUDD is to prevent, reduce and delay the onset of substance use among Schuyler County youth by collaborating with community partners, promoting prevention education and substance-free activities and implementing environmental strategies. SCCUDD’s vision is a connected community where youth have education and resources and drug-free options to help in their journey to happy and healthy adulthood.

In working toward this mission, SCCUDD leaders say, the organization needs the help of the entire community.

For more information, or to become involved with SCCUDD, visit SCCUDD online at www.schuylercounty.us/sccudd.

Bond named to Dean's List at Rochester

Special to The Odessa File

ROCHESTER, NY, March 26 -- Sarah Elizabeth Bond, a senior majoring in biochemistry at the University of Rochester, has been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the fall 2014 semester.

Bond , a resident of Watkins Glen, NY, is the child of Christopher and Michelle Bond, and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School.

The University of Rochester, founded in 1850, is a private research university. It offers an undergraduate curriculum, with no required courses, that emphasizes a broad liberal education through majors, minors, and course “clusters”—a Rochester innovation—in the three main areas of knowledge: humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences/engineering. The University (on the Web at www.rochester.edu) is also home to the Eastman School of Music as well as graduate professional schools of business, education, medicine, and nursing.

Student Kelsey Kernan sings "Sweet Dreams." Accompanying on keyboard in the background is teacher Matthew Craig.

Artists-in-residence program culminates with WG concert

WATKINS GLEN, March 25 -- An annual program that has brought music to students in the Watkins Glen School District now for 24 years -- and let their voices and instruments soar in the process -- concluded its 2015 version Tuesday night with a concert by 7th, 8th and 9th graders in the high school auditorium.

The artist-in-residence program -- whereby musicians Katie McShane and Rosie Newton spend weeks instructing students in whatever area of music the students want -- showcased the talents of more than two-dozen musically gifted students on its final evening of this year. The gathering was billed as "An Evening of Music With Katie McShane & Rosie Newton in partnership with Watkins Glen Central Schools."

Adding texture to the evening was the presence of the man who served as artist-in-residence for 21 years before handing the duty to McShane and Newton three years ago: Hank Roberts, famed cellist from Ithaca. And he was there for an emotional reason: it was the final program overseen by 8th grade Watkins Glen science teacher Jim Murphy, who will retire at the end of the school year.

Roberts -- often busy with touring and recording -- had worked with Murphy for all of those 21 years, since Murphy started the program in a small fashion, with a grant that enabled him to bring one musician into the classroom to teach "The Science of Music." The program grew over the years, with Roberts spending weeks each year at this time with Middle Schoolers. Now that the Middle School is closed, the program has grown to incorporate students in 7th through 12th grades.

"I wanted to be here for Jim, this being his last year," said Roberts, who said he personally recruited McShane -- a former student of his at Ithaca College -- and Newton, "who I knew from around the musical community" in Ithaca. "I hoped they would work well together, and they do. They've done a marvelous job here."

Newton, still of Ithaca, and McShane, who has moved to the Boston area and is teaching music part-time there while "between master's programs," spent their first couple of weeks this time with 10th through 12th graders -- a talented group who presented a similar concert two weeks ago. Then the musical tandem turned to the 7th through 9th graders, carrying their talents to Tuesday night's show.. An assembly earlier in the day featured a cross section of both grade groups, "a sort of All-Star" presentation, McShane said.

"The kids are amazing," she said. "Just show them a little support, and they can do some great things."

The students who participate choose to do so -- approach McShane and Newton with an idea of what music they want to perform. And by the time they reach their concert, they are uniformly polished in their presentations.

At Tuesday night's gathering, the following students performed: Conlin Wysocki, McKala VanBrocklin, Johanna VanEtten, Jordan Barrett, Maddie Suddaby, Boryana Bond, Enqi Lin, Scott Brubaker, Kacey & Kassidy Samuels, Katlyn Kernan, Jordyn Barrett, Kai Pittman, Andrea Heskell, Olivia Lattin, Kelsey Kernan, Paige Robbins, Kendra Cornish, Jazmin Shea, Allison Gibson, Annika Wickham, Hannah Morse, Wyatt Brower, Wrett Brower, Kris Ayers, Calvin Buckley and Dayne Hughey.

There were solo vocal performances; a piano duet; a five-member band; Roberts performing with teacher Sarahjane Harrigan; Roberts performing with Murphy (a dulcimer player), accompanying teacher and guitarist Travis Durfee as he sang a song of his own composition; and, ultimately, a gathering of all the musicians on stage for a rousing rendition of "We'll Meet Again":

"We'll meet again.
Don't know where, don't know when.
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day."

According to McShane, she and Newton will indeed meet again with students next year. "Yes," she said. "That's certainly the plan." As for who might succeed Murphy as the program coordinator, she pointed toward Durfee. "I'm hoping he carries the banner for the program," she said.

Will he? "Well, I don't know that I'll run it," he said. "But I'll certainly be involved; do what I can to help. It's a great program."

Photos in text:

From top: Program instructors Rosie Newton (left) and Katie McShane; cellist Hank Roberts (foreground) and teacher Jim Murphy; teacher Travis Durfee.

Left: Hannah Morse sings "The Games People Play," with Katie McShane accompanying. Right: Allison Gibson and Annika Wickham performed a piano duet, "Lips Are Moving."

An instrumental arrangement of "You Raise Me Up" was performed by Paige Robbins, Kendra Cornish and Jazmin Shea.

Left: Andrea Heskell sings "Just A Dream." Right: Olivia Lattin sings "My Heart Will Go On."

The musical group North Country performed "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," with vocals by Wyatt Brower, left. Other members: Wrett Brower, Kris Ayers, Dayne Hughey and Calvin Buckley.

SFLW to raise scholarship funds with BBQ

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 19 -- The Southern Finger Lakes Women (SFLW), a chapter of New York State Women, Inc., will hold a chicken barbecue on Sunday, April 26 at the Montour Falls Moose Lodge.

The proceeds will benefit the SFLW scholarship fund. For $8, diners receive a half chicken dinner, complete with baked beans, salad, rolls and dessert. A chicken plate, consisting of a half chicken and roll & butter, is $6. Takeouts are available.

The barbecues will be served starting at 12 noon and continue until sold out. Advance ticket holders must pick up dinner by 1:00 p.m. For tickets or further information, contact Southern Finger Lakes Women at sflwomen@gmail.com.

From left: Fiona (Lydia Myers), Shrek (Chase Richtmyer), Donkey (Abigail Rundle)
and Dragon (Phebe Wickham) at play's end.

Shrek ends its run at WGHS

WATKINS GLEN, March 22, 2015 -- The Watkins Glen High School Senior Show, "Shrek the Musical," was presented for the third and final time Sunday -- a matinee performance in the school auditorium.

The play, directed by Tim and Michelle Benjamin, featured iconic characters like the ogre Shrek (Chase Richtmyer, sophomore), Princess Fiona (Lydia Myers, senior), Donkey (Abigail Rundle, senior), and Lord Farquaad (Alexis Atchie, sophomore).

They were joined by some popular fairy tale characters, including:

--Pinocchio (Mikayla Elliott, senior);
--Gingy (Justine Hulbert, senior);
--Dragon (Phebe Wickham, sophomore);
--Big Bad Wolf (Keziah Fraboni, senior);
--Wicked Witch (Mikayla Rhoads, junior);
--Humpty Dumpty (Portia Wells, junior), and
--The Three Pigs (Joelle Slater, sophomore; Nateah Cornish and Sydney VanAlstine, juniors).

The cast of 30 ranged from 7th to 12th graders.

The backstage crew included Renee Riley (vocal coach), Stephanie Rhoads (assistant and makeup coordinator), Tammy Cole and Dee Huey (costume designers), Lisa Stefanowich McKnight (stunt coordinator), Cassie Osborne (stage manager), Amanda Osborne (properties manager), Shawn Rutledge (sound coordinator), Liz Mason (lighting manager), Brooke Shaffer (art design), and Lydia Myers, Mikayla Elliott, Abigail Rundle, Justine Hulbert and Portia Wells (student choreographers).

The pit band featured Tom Bloodgood, Bernie Riley, Samantha Riley, Dennis Morris, Lou Cicconi and Andy Stevenson. Sarah Matthews was the music director.

The show was presented by the Watkins Glen High School Class of 2015.

****

Photos in text:

Top: Lydia Myers as Princess Fiona during a usical number.

Middle: Justine Hulbert as Gingy performs acrobatic flips across the stage.

Bottom: The Three Blind Mice. From left: Sydney VanAlstine, Joelle Slater and Nateah Cornish.

Alexis Atchie as Lord Farquaad leads a musical number.

Pinocchio (Mikayla Elliott) and Gingy (Justine Hulbert)

The 7-member pit band included, from left, Samantha Riley, Dennis Morris and Bernie Riley. The music director was Sarah Matthews.

Left: Cast member Brooke Shaffer. Right: Band member Tom Bloodgood.

Fiona (Lydia Myers, front left) on the verge of marrying Farquaad (Alexis Atchie) with a Bishop (Wrett Brower) officiating.

Left: Portia Wells as Humpty Dumpty. Right: Phebe Wickham as Dragon.

Left: Donkey (Abigail Rundle) watches Shrek (Chase Richtmyer) and Fiona (Lydia Myers) at their campfire. Right: Shrek and Fiona.

Taylor Kennard as the Sugar Plum Fairy belts out a song.

On opening night:

Lydia Myers, as Princess Fiona, leads a dance number on opening night Friday.

Abigail Rundle as Donkey straight-arms Chase Richtmyer, who portrays Shrek.

Young Fiona (Cheyenne Stansfield, center), Teen Fiona (Ruthe Gardner, left) and a grown Fiona (Lydia Myers, right) sing "I Know It's Today."

From left: Shrek (Chase Richtmyer) towers over Farquaad (Alexis Atchie); Fiona (Lydia Myers) sings; and Shrek (Richtmyer) sings..

Left: Mikayla Elliott as Pinocchio. Right: The conclusion of a musical number including Donkey (Abigail Rundle, left center) and Dragon (Phebe Wickham, in red), along with dancers.

Alexis Atchie as Farquaad along with members of Farquaad's guard.

And earlier in the week:

Abigail Rundle as Donkey, left, and Chase Richtmyer as Shrek during rehearsal Monday.

The "Shrek" cast performed for the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club at its weekly luncheon Thursday. Performers included, from left, Lydia Myers, Mikayla Elliott and Abigail Rundle.

Also among the performers at the luncheon were Chase Richtmyer and Phebe Wickham.

Left: Emma Raymond and Manley Gavich. Right: Lexi Skinner and James Terry.

O-M students strut fashions at show

ODESSA, March 6 -- More than three dozen Odessa-Montour students donned prom garb Friday for a fashion show in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The show, an annual event featuring gowns from David's Bridal and tuxedos from Men's Wearhouse -- with girls' hairstyles by the Simply Your Best salon -- had an incentive: a discount in prom rentals for show participants.

Those participants, most of whom walked twice aross the stage in pairs, included the following:

Vicky Ayers-Zack Griswold, Courtney Brown-Luke Eberhardt, Gabby Cain-Billy Bacon, Brooke Collins-Joe Raymond, Amy Fudala-Ryan Taylor, Henna Herrmann-Jeremiah Holley, Samantha House-Logan Barrett, Nina Linton-R.C. Brown, Maddie Lodge-Joel Kelly, Sarah Norton-Brian McLean, Emma Raymond-Manley Gavich, Addi Rhodes-Tyler Clark, Dana Roberts-Zack Pyhtila, Makayla Rought-Andrew Goldman, Olivia Scata-Joe Rorick, Hailie Searles-Ryan Marsh, Lexi Skinner-James Terry, Kassie Snyder-Anthony Humphries, Callie Stillman-Chris Foote, Tela Wittig-Bryce Elliott, Caitlyn Lawton, and youngsters Ella Kramer and Vanessa Wood.

Photo in text: Samantha House and Logan Barrett.

Left: Nina Linton and R.C. Brown. Right: Callie Stillman and Chris Foote.

Left: Tela Wittig and Bryce Elliott. Right: Olivia Scata and Joe Rorick.

Left: Courtney Brown and Luke Eberhardt. Right: Henna Herrmann and Jeremiah Holley.

Left: Addi Rhodes and Tyler Clark. Right: Amy Fudala and Ryan Taylor.

2 join Sign Language Honor Society

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 6 -- Watkins Glen High School seniors Samantha Bradley and Alexandria Gardner recently were inducted into the American Sign Language (ASL) Honor Society.

Bradley and Gardner are in their third year of ASL study by video conference, taught from Syracuse. They earned the ASLHS Honor Cord, which means they earned a 3.5 GPA in all ASL courses and an overall GPA of 3.2 in other coursework. In addition, Bradley and Gardner completed five community service hours. Both girls learned to sign children’s stories and held events at the public library. In addition to telling the story, they taught some signs to the children in attendance.

Gardner is the daughter of Brian and Denise Gardner. She plans to attend Corning Community College after graduation. Bradley is the daughter of Scott and Tammy Bradley. She plans to attend SUNY Brockport in the fall.

The American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS) is an official program established by ASLTA, the only national organization of ASL teachers. ASLHS was established to encourage high academic achievement at all levels of ASL study.

Photo in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips congratulates Samantha Bradley while Alexandria Gardner looks on. Both students recently were inducted into the American Sign Language Honor Society. (Photo provided)

Student artwork on display in March

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, March 3, 2015 -- Approximately 250 works of art created by Watkins Glen Central School District students will be on display in the community as part of National Youth Art Month.

The works were submitted by art teachers Dawn Coleman and Elaine Wotjus and selected for display by the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Artwork by Watkins Glen students will be on display at Schuyler Hospital, O’Susannah’s Quilts and Gifts, the Schuyler County Human Services Complex, The Schuyler County Courthouse Complex, the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and the Watkins Glen Library.

Throughout the region, 54 businesses, financial institutions, hospitals, cultural institutions, libraries and civic organizations will display student artwork during March in support of arts instruction in the Southern Finger Lakes.

A slideshow of images, searchable map of exhibit locations, list of exhibits alphabetized by school, and information about a faculty exhibit are available by clicking here.

Talk topic: 'Stop Parenting, Start Coaching'

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 27 -- Parents of students in the Watkins Glen Central School District are invited to learn how to take a more active role in their child’s life and education by attending “Stop Parenting, Start Coaching,” presented by Professor Joe Martin. The presentation will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 12 in the Elementary School auditorium. The event is free and open to all parents in the Watkins Glen school district.

Martin will outline five strategies that parents can use to build trust, connect with, resolve conflict with, and better prepare their children for the rigors of school and everyday life. He also will teach parents how to motivate their children without lecturing and threats, and how to connect with a child who is emotionally distant.

Martin is the founder and president of RealWorld University. He is a nationally known, award-winning speaker, university professor, published author and educational consultant. In spite of being raised in one of the toughest inner city ghettos in Miami, Florida, Martin started his first business at 22 and his second at 26. He also became the youngest tenured faculty member ever hired at a Florida state university when he was 24.

Martin also will share “Street-Smart Strategies for Acing College” and “Success Strategies of the Motivationally Supercharged” with students during the school day on March 12.

Hanlon Elementary holds spelling bee

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Feb. 24 -- Twenty-four Hanlon Elementary School students representing grades 3-6 participated in the school spelling bee on Monday, February 23. Hanlon is participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is locally sponsored by the Corning Rotary Club, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Guthrie Health Care and Kraft Foods.

Every Hanlon student received a study list for his/her grade level along with a study list of words for grades 1-8. During the week of February 2, all students participated in grade-level spelling bees, in which the students were tested on the words at their own grade level. The top six finishers of each grade-level spelling bee moved on to compete in the school spelling bee, where students were tested on the more challenging study list of words for grades 1-8.

After several rounds of competition, third-grader Aiden Vogel and fourth-grader Victoria Brewster were named first- and second-place champions, respectively, in front of a good-spirited crowd that cheered for all participants during the competition. Aiden won by correctly spelling “curator.” Victoria’s final correctly spelled word was “novelist.”

Aiden and Victoria will participate in the regional spelling bee at Campbell-Savona High School on March 5.

The final champion of the regional spelling bee will go on to compete in the national spelling bee in Washington, D.C. at a date yet to be determined.

Photo in text: Hanlon Elementary School spelling bee champions Aiden Vogel and Victoria Brewster. (Photo provided)

Kindergarten screening letters set for April

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 24 -- Kindergarten in the Watkins Glen Central School District is open to students who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2015.

Screening for incoming Kindergarten students will be held in May. If you have a child who will be eligible to start school in September 2015, you should receive a letter in April inviting you to a screening appointment. You and your child will need to be present. The screening will take approximately 1½ hours.

Items to bring with you:
• child’s birth certificate
• immunization record
• physical exam completed after September 5, 2014
• dental exam record completed after September 1, 2014
• custody papers, if applicable
• proof of childhood lead testing
• three proofs of residency (examples: tax bill, utility bills, lease agreement, etc.)

Please call the school as early as possible to make sure we have correct information about your child and your correct address. If you have special needs or need to make changes to appointment times, please contact Alyssa Hoobler, school counselor, at 535-3250, extension 2404, or Elaine Malina at extension 1404.

4-year-olds eligible for Glen UPK program

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 24 -- Children in the Watkins Glen school district who will be four years old by December 1, 2015 are eligible to participate in the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program during the 2015-16 school year.

If you have a child who will be eligible, please contact the Elementary School at 535-3250 to provide current contact information. The school will mail information to homes with eligible students this spring.

The Elementary School also will host UPK registration. More information will be announced when details on this event are finalized.

The WGHS 7th grade class holds a check presented by members of the Interact Club, including co-presidents Colin DeMeritt (blue sweatshirt) and Tamijah Lawton-Stone, who are standing just left of the check. (Photo by Aran Holland)

Interact Club donates $1,000

The Rotary-sponsored Watkins Glen High School Interact Club recently raised $1,000 by selling Pashmina Scarves, and donated the money to the school's 7th grade Water for Sudan Project. The project has raised more than $13,000 of its $15,000 goal, the money to be used to build a well for a village in South Sudan. Clean water is in short supply in that region of Africa, forcing residents to travel two hours each day to carry home water that is needed for family living. The Interact Club, involved in community activism in various ways, is available to help in community-based events. If in need of its services, email Nancy Ruda at nruda@wgcsd.org.

B.C. Cate schedules fall registration

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 13, 2015 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to begin Kindergarten in September 2015. Your child is eligible if he/she will be five years old on or before December 1, 2015.

Kindergarten registration is scheduled for April 29 and 30 and May 1, 4 and 5. Parents will need to bring their child, child’s birth certificate, proof of residency and proof of child’s immunizations.

If you have not received a letter by the end of February, call the B. C. Cate office at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Thursday, March 19 to be sure your child is on the school roster and to schedule an appointment for the child’s kindergarten screening.

B.C. Cate to offer full-day UPK in fall

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 13, 2015 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District wishes to identify families with children eligible to attend a full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program this September.

If your child resides in the Odessa-Montour Central School District and will be four years old on or before December 1, 2015, he/she is eligible for this program.

To express your interest in the full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, call the school at 535-7267, ext. 3780 by Thursday, March 19.

Watkins School Board OKs joint OM-Glen grid squad

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 10 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday evening unanimously approved the plan to merge its football program with that of the Odessa-Montour school district. The O-M School Board is set to vote on the issue Thursday night.

The Watkins Glen vote followed comments by district resident Val Carocci, who thinks that merger is a good idea long-term, but that the movement to create a new team with new uniforms, new colors and new name is being "rushed."

"I think you could have a combined team playing as Senecas, as originally proposed," she said. "Consolidation is a positive, but this is being rushed."

However, board member Keith Caslin, reacting later in the meeting to Carocci's comments, said the merger of the two programs has been discussed in many meetings since the close of the football season, and that a lot of time and thought has gone into it. He also said he has talked to more than 100 interested parties in the two districts, and that "the bottom line is ... the kids just want to see it done. It's time to move forward, and allow the kids an opportunity to play."

Discussion also involved uniforms and their impact on the budget. Superintendent Tom Phillips said that money was budgeted for new Watkins Glen uniforms this year, but that the purchase was put on hold pending the outcome of this move toward consolidating the two programs. Accordingly, he said, money is in the budget for new uniforms bearing the colors and name of the new, joint team.

There might be Modified, Junior Varsity and Varsity level squads, he said, although Junior Varsity is in question. If there is no JV, there will be one or two Modified teams. The cost of any new uniforms, he pointed out, will be shared with O-M on a 60-40 split, with Watkins bearing the larger share based on enrollment.

Phillips outlined, as he had at a joint meeting of the two districts' School Boards on Jan. 26, that a Joint Athletics Program Steering Committee -- composed of the two district superintendents, along with an administrator and football coach from each district -- will handle issues of policy and procedure that occur, with recommendations where needed being made to the School Boards.

The "draft compact" outlining particulars of the plan specifies that the Watkins district will serve as the employment arm of the program, and as such Phillips will advertise for coaches as soon as the O-M School Board approves the merger -- assuming it does.

On hand for Monday's meeting was Lou Condon Jr., the Watkins Glen head football coach for the past few seasons. Also present were two members of the O-M School Board, Karen Rock and Jen Mosher, though neither spoke. Watkins Board President Mike Myers was absent, leaving the vice president, Kelly McCarthy, to run the session.

The matter of student participation in the naming of the new team was also discussed. Phillips and Watkins Glen High School Principal Kai D'Alleva said any student in either district will be invited to voice an opinion or suggestion regarding the new name. Those suggestions will be gathered and winnowed down to "three to five," said D'Alleva, and then submitted to the schools' Student Councils for their guidance. A recommendation will go to the Steering Committee, and if it approves, then the recommendation will be forwarded to the two School Boards. The Boards, says the Draft Compact, "shall accept the recommendations or return the matter to the Committee for further consideration."

The consolidation is a result of diminished enrollment at the two schools, and an accompanying difficulty to field football teams. The O-M team had to end its season prematurely in the fall when its roster fell below the minimum number of players allowed; and a similar situation occurred at Watkins Glen several years ago.

Photos in text: Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips; and Phillips with, from left, board members Kelly McCarthy, Mark Franzese, Kristin Hazlitt and Keith Caslin at Monday evening's meeting..

----To see the amended Draft Compact, click here.----
----To see the district's meeting summary, click here.----

School Board members Christian Maphis (O-M), Kristin Hazlitt (WG)
and Damita Chamberlain (O-M) at Monday night's joint session.

Glen, O-M School Boards
move toward joint grid squad

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 26 -- There were no sports events locally Monday night, but there was extended discussion about one sport -- football -- as the Boards of Education in the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour school districts met to discuss the possible merger of their gridiron teams.

The meeting, with all members of both boards present, was attended sparsely by the public, likely a result of inclement weather and unpleasant driving conditions. Public comment was not permitted, in any event. That opportunity comes at each board's next meeting.

By the end of the 90-minute session, after Superintendents Tom Phillips (Watkins Glen) and Peter Punzo (O-M, interim) had outlined a "compact" devised over the past couple of months, a plan to set in motion a merger of the two programs seemed headed toward fruition.

"That's the goal," said Punzo when asked if the new team could be ready for the fall, "but I'm a step-by-step guy. I like to take one thing at a time."

The next "thing" is a resolution to be prepared by attorneys that will reflect the outline prepared by the superintendents along with amendments raised by board members Monday and agreed upon in general. Attorneys on hand were Conrad R. Wolan of the Sayles & Evans law firm of Elmira, and James A. Gregory of the firm of HSLD&G of Binghamton. Those resolutions will go to the two boards for votes -- by the Watkins board on Feb. 9 and the O-M board on Feb. 12.

Assuming -- as board presidents Mike Myers of Watkins Glen and Robert Halpin of O-M indicated would likely happen -- the resolutions are adopted, then Watkins' Phillips will post the availability of coaching positions the following day as an attempt is made to secure a coaching staff by early March. At the same time, a Steering Committee will be formed which will ulimately be comprised of the superintendent, one administrator and one coach from each district. It will have a say in the coaches' selection -- which must be approved by the Watkins Board, since the coaches will be employed by the Watkins district.

The plan calls for three coaches from each school, although Phillips said there is a provision in his district by which existing members of the Faculty Association can apply for a coaching position -- although such an occurrence is scarcer than in the past with the recent tightening of coaching requirements and training.

Bringing students from both schools into the decision-making process will prove key, Phillips and Punzo said, as the effort to adopt a new team name, new mascot and new uniforms comes into play. Board members expressed the preference that such decisions be made by a near-consensus of students from both districts. As the hurdles are surpassed and the process draws closer to completion, Section IV will be apprised of the joint team -- by July 1. It has already been notified, Phillips said, that O-M will not field a football team alone in the next season.

"Every effort will be made," the proposed Punzo-Phillips outline, or "compact," says, to see that the new team will use the football fields at both schools evenly, alternating sites. And the Steering Committee would designate practice field use "based on what makes sense logistically, financially, safety and transportation wise."

The two superintendents told board members that they were envisioning a five-year agreement at the outset, with an "escape clause" after three years if things are not working out to the satisfaction of both districts and their students. Halpin suggested the agreement be revisited every year, with the option for either district to walk away if the effort is creating financial or other significant problems ... and the boards seemed to agree. But also seemingly left operational was the thought that after each season -- if the project is successful -- a year will be added on the back end of the agreement, making it a five-year plan again.

Loose ends -- and there are liable to be many -- will be taken under consideration by the Steering Commitee.

Three teams are envisioned -- varsity and two modified squads, or varsity, junior varsity and modified -- with expected rosters of about 30 players each. Startup cost to the districts would be about $200 per participant, Punzo estimated, as the schools' inventory of jerseys, pants and pads are expanded, and helmets refurbished.

No direct consideration is being given currently to merging other sports at the two schools, although board members and superintendents said this agreement could be used as a template for such future moves. The other sports teams will retain their Seneca (WG) and Indians (O-M) nicknames until such time as further mergers might occur..

"I think this is exciting," said Lou Condon Jr., the Watkins Glen varsity head football coach. "What benefits the kids is what's best."

Said Watkins' Myers of the pending resolution and the football merger: "I'm sure it will pass" his board on Feb. 9. "It's good for the kids, and will likely" spread ultimately to other sports, assuming it is a success.

Said O-M's Halpin: "As far as I know, the (Odessa) board is in favor."

It's time to do it, Myers added. "We don't want to disenfranchise any kids."

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips, left, and O-M High School Principal Chris Wood.

Middle: O-M Interim Superintendent Peter Punzo, left, and Watkins Glen High School Principal Kai D'Alleva.

Bottom: Watkins Glen head football coach Lou Condon Jr. is interviewed by WETM-TV's Chuck Brame.

To see the Draft Compact for football, click here.

Sudan Water project deadline extended

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 13 -- Since November, seventh-graders at Watkins Glen High School have raised more than $10,000 to build a well for a village in South Sudan through the Water for South Sudan charity. The students were hoping to raise the entire $15,000 for the well before the holidays, but have decided to extend their fundraising until they reach their goal.

During the fall, seventh-graders read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, which tells the story of Nya, an 11-year-old girl in South Sudan who must travel two hours from her home twice a day to get the only water available for her family. The book also tells the story of Salva Dut, founder of Water for South Sudan.

After reading the story, students were inspired to take action. To date they have made over 50 presentations within the district and to other outside organizations to elicit support from all grades and the community, said Tammy Kellogg, grade 7 English teacher. The positive response has inspired the students to push on to reach their goal. Prior to the holidays, students wrote formal business letters to local organizations seeking their support as well.

The students welcome donations from the community.

To contribute, visit www.waterforsouthsudan.org and dedicate your donation to Watkins Glen School, or mail checks made payable to Water for South Sudan to Watkins Glen High School, Attn: Tammy Kellogg; 301 12th St., Watkins Glen, NY 14891 or contact takellogg@wgcsd.org.

3 finalists named for O-M superintendent

ODESSA, Jan. 11 -- Three finalists have been named in the search for the next superintendent of the Odessa-Montour School District, the O-M School Board has announced.

They are O-M Junior-Senior High School Principal Chris Wood, GST BOCES Career and Technical Education Center Principal Ann Fuller-Sincock, and Romulus Middle/High School Principal Lynn Rhone.

One of those three is slated to succeed James Frame, who left the O-M superintendency when he took the job as Greater Southern Tier BOCES Superintendent on Dec. 1.

Wood has been principal at Odessa-Montour since 2012. He began his career with the district in 2005 as an instructional support teacher. In 2011, he was named the district athletic manager and dean of students before ascending to the principal's post.

Fuller-Sincock previously served as GST Alternative Middle and High School principal, Spencer-Van Etten high school principal, and Elmira Free Academy assistant principal.

Rhone has been principal at Romulus since 2012. She was also principal from 2005-2008, until being appointed principal of grades pre-K through 12.

The School Board will visit each candidate's district beginning Monday. Final rounds of interviews with the three are scheduled for Jan. 20-22.

The anticipated start date of the new superintendent is April 1.

Water Aerobics classes offered

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 11, 2015 -- Odessa-Montour Central School (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) and Watkins Glen Central School (“Aqua Aerobics”) will soon host the next sessions of water aerobics classes, and registration time is upon us.

Everyone over 18 is welcome. Odessa-Montour’s sessions begin Monday, February 2 and run for 8 weeks, with Thursday classes beginning February 5; classes run 7-8 p.m..

The next session at Watkins Glen Central School begins Tuesday, February 3, and runs for seven sessions; classes are from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

All classes need sufficient registered participants to be scheduled, so register now to ensure that they are. All sessions are $7 per class; walk-ins are welcome, too.

Register online at www.gstboces.org or call 607-739-8170 or 739-7905. The classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

Watkins, O-M boards to meet on football

For the district's meeting summary, click here

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 6 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night scheduled a joint public session with the Odessa-Montour School Board on Monday, Jan. 26 to discuss, and possibly approve, a process designed to merge the two districts' football programs.

The meeting, at 5:45 p.m., will be at a location yet to be determined.

Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips said that he has met with O-M Interim Superintendent Peter Punzo, and will meet with him at least twice more in an attempt to produce a resolution that will meet the needs of both districts.

In addition, he said, "we will be meeting with coaches" -- who will shortly be identified after openings are posted this week.

"We need coaches in place to give them time to get ready" for the next football season in the event a merger resolution is approved, said Phillips -- although at this point the shape of the team hasn't been determined, nor whether a new team name, colors and uniforms can be in place in time.

Watkins Glen Athletic Manager Erich Kramer told the board that in order to accomplish that much, "the speed" of the development process "needs to be increased ... We need five or six suggestions for color combinations" and for the team name, and "time to make the uniforms."

A joint team with a new name has been the preferred route expressed by area residents, although the possibility of O-M players joining the Watkins football team as part of its operation in the first year has been deemed a possible necessary step.

But, says Kramer, the new combined team could occur "if the boards come together" on an agreement quickly.

The two districts' combined Jan. 26 session will be in the form of a workshop, which permits open discussion in public.

The issue of combining sports has been gaining attention in recent months -- especially in football following the early termination of the O-M season when the team roster fell below the minimum required number of players.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen School Board President Mike Myers, left, and Superintendent Tom Phillips.

O-M students donate to Humane Society

Special to
The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Dec. 20 -- In honor of the giving season, the Hanlon Elementary Student Council recently organized a school-wide collection for the Humane Society of Schuyler County.

Students and community members brought in items including towels, dog food, new and used dog collars and leashes, dog toys, dog clothes and peanut butter. Student Council members were responsible for gathering and organizing the items daily.

Staff members from the Humane Society and special guest Moose, a resident at the shelter, visited the school to pick up the donations.

Photo in text: Hanlon Elementary Student Council members loaded the Humane Society van with donated items and enjoyed a visit with Moose and Diana Frederick, a staff member from the Humane Society. (Photo provided)

Gabriella LaRosa sings Dave Matthews' "Satellite," accompanied on guitar
by 2013 WGHS graduate Michael Olmstead.

WGHS students show talents on stage

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 20 -- The annual Watkins Glen High School Talent Show featuread a range of musical talent onstage Friday in the school auditorium.

Ten acts were presented, and cash awards presented courtesy of the Student Council. Between the last act and the announcement of winners, three student-crafted videos were shown, and one of them was named a winner, as well.

Among the awards:

--Overall Best Performance: The trio of Wyatt Brower, Hannah Morse and Wrett Brower, performing "Say Something," with vocals and guitar.

--Crowd Favorite: Gabriella LaRosa singing Dave Matthews' "Satellite," with 2013 WGHS graduate Michael Olmstead on guitar.

--Most Original: Conlin Wysocki (pictured at right) at the piano, singing a song he wrote, "World Through My Eyes."

--Judges' Choice: Darien Terry, playing the guitar and singing "Run Away" by Front Porch Steps.

--Best Video: By Phebe Wickham.

Other acts included:

--William Fitzsimmons singing "Closer" by Kings of Leon.

--Portia Wells and Lydia Myers, dancing to "To Be Alone."

--Kelsey Kernan, singing Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away."

--Andrew Likoudis singing "Champagne Super Nova."

--McKala VanBrocklin singing "Human" by Christina Perri, with Johanna VanEtten accompanying on guitar.

--Aaron Sager performing an original freestyle composition on electric guitar.

Jesse Bloodgood and his brother Ben also performed several songs outside of the judging. The two often perform publicly.

*****

Photos in text:

Top: The Brower brothers, Wyatt (left) and Wrett, along with Hannah Morse, earned the Overall Best Performance award.

Middle: Conlin Wysocki sang his original song, "World Through My Eyes, for which he was given the Most Original award.

Bottom: Jesse Bloodgood played the piano and sang several song. His brother Ben accompanied him on vocals and guitar.

Left: Portia Wells, left, and Lydia Myers danced to "To Be Alone."
Right: Kelsey Kernan sang Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away."

Darien Terry sang "Run Away" by Front Porch Steps.

Left: Emcees Mikayla Elliott, left, and LynnAnn Caslin.
Right: William Fitizsimmons sang "Closer" by Kings of Leon.

Aaron Sager performed an original freestyle number on his electric guitar.

Left: McKala VanBrocklin, left, and Johanna VanEtten performed "Human."
Right: Andrew Likoudis sang "Champagne Super Nova."

Retired WGHS Principal Dave Warren paid a surprise visit to the talent show, offering to "wrap" after emcees LynnAnn Caslin, left, and Mikayla Elliott had done some rapping. Warren then recited what he likened to a rap number: The "trouble right here in River City" lyrics from "Music Man," which Warren memorized years ago.

Members of the 5th Grade Band perform "Come to the Manger."

Hanlon students stage Holiday Program

ODESSA, Dec. 19 -- Hanlon Elementary School 4th and 5th graders offered an evening of holiday music Thursday evening to an appreciative audience in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The 4th Grade Chorus sang "Winter Celebration," "Nuttin' For Christmas" and "Sparkling Christmas Tree."

The 5th Grade Band performed "Come to the Manger" and "St. Nick's on the Housetop."

The 5th Grade Chorus sang "The First Snowball of the Season," "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," "No Well, No Well," and "Zoot Suit Santa."

Michelle Voorheis was the band director, while Kim Laursen directed the choruses. Sally Michel served as accompanist.

Photo in text: Members of the 4th Grade Chorus sing "Winter Celebration."

Members of the Hanlon 5th Grade Chorus sing "The First Snowball of the Season."

The Elementary Band opened the Watkins Glen Winter Concert.

Watkins, O-M stage Winter Concerts

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec. 16 -- Both the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour school districts presented their Winter Concerts Monday night before large audiences.

The Watkins concert in the high school auditorium featured:

--The Elementary Band playing "Good King Rocks," "Ten Little Drummers," "Star Wars" and "Gingerbread Men on Parade."

--The Elementary Chorus singing "Jingle All the Way" and "Hi-Ho, It's Christmas."

--The Elementary & 7/8 Combined Choruses singing "First Flakes."

--The 7/8 Chorus singing "Still, Still, Still" and "In Winter."

--The 7/8 Band performing "Crystal City Overture," "Simple Gifts," "Let It Go" and "A Crazy Mixed-up Christmas Concert."

--The High School Chorus singing "Follow That Star," "O Holy Night," "And So It Goes" and "A Festive Madrigal."

--The High School Band playing "Sleigh Ride," a movement from "English Folk Song Suite," "Highlights from Jersey Boys" and "The Polar Express Medley."

Sarahjane Harrigan directed the Elementary Band, Diana Groll the High School Band, and Matthew Craig the choruses.

The O-M concert in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium featured:

--The Junior High Band playing "Holiday Greetings," "Chapel Chimes" and "Frosty the Snow Man."

--The Junior High Chorus singing "Masters in This Hall," "Sing Me to Winter" and "Still in My Heart."

-- The Senior High Band playing "Hosana in Excelsis," "All is Calm" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

-- The Senior High Chorus singing "Earth, Air, Fire, Water," "Carol of the Bells," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and "Et in Terra Pax."

--The Women's Choir singing "The Twelve Days After Christmas."

Michelle Voorheis directed the Junior High Band, while Jennifer Kraemer directed the Junior and Senior High Choruses, the Women's Choir and the Senior High Band.

Photos in text:

From the top: Scenes from the Watkins Glen High School Band performance of "Sleigh Ride" (top) and from the O-M Senior High Band performance of "All is Calm" (middle); and Watkins Glen High School Chorus member Lydia Myers sings a solo.

The O-M Junior High Chorus performs "Still in My Heart."

Watkins Glen Elementary Band clarinetists, left, and O-M Senior High Band flutists.

O-M senior Manley Gavich directed the High School Band for one number, "All is Calm."

Baggers (from left on the right) Olivia Scata, Paxtyn Brown and Amanda Jones prepare items for delivery as Dasia Herrmann and Collin Povoski empty their cart. (Photo provided)

O-M students volunteer at Food Pantry

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Dec. 14 -- Members of the Odessa-Montour High School Interact Club recently spent part of their day volunteering at the Schuyler County Outreach food pantry.

Students formed an assembly line to transport, unpack and organize food for a holiday giveaway. Then some teamed up to “shop” for assigned families, filling shopping carts with needed items. Others emptied carts and bagged items for distribution.

“Knowing you are making a difference in our community feels good,” said senior Hailie Searles, who has participated in the annual event for the past four years.

The Interact Club is affiliated with the service-oriented Watkins-Montour Rotary Club.

Photo in text: Jailyn Rumsey, left, and Taylor Alton fill a cart of donated items for the holiday giveaway. (Photo provided)

The O-M School Board before the start of the session. From left: Jen Mosher, Damita Chamberlain, Karen Rock, Board President Robert Halpin, Interim Superintendent Peter Punzo, Scott Westervelt, Rob Tuttle and Christian Maphis.

'Separation benefits' draw fire at O-M

ODESSA, Dec. 11 -- The Odessa-Montour School Board approved a transfer of funds totaling $68,491.07 from a reserve fund to the general fund Thursday night to pay "contractual separation benefits" to the recently departed district superintendent, Jim Frame.

The payment -- which one board member said was for accrued vacation and sick days -- drew fire from a representative of the O-M Civil Service Employees Association, and a "no" vote from Board member Rob Tuttle, who said he had nothing to do with fashioning Frame's contract and that it would "be against my belief to say 'yes.'".

The CSEA's Patrick Carlisle -- whose unit's new contract, calling for 18-cent-an-hour raises for its members, was also approved by the board Thursday -- called the payout to Frame "outrageous, insulting and shameful," and urged the board not to fall into the same contractual obligations with its next superintendent.

A search is on for Frame's successor. Frame left at the end of November for his new post as GST BOCES superintendent.

The O-M interim superintendent, Peter Punzo, was welcomed by Board President Rob Halpin at Thursday's session. Said Punzo: "I will do my very best to serve your district well."

In other board business:

--Punzo was authorized to "pursue football opportunities at the Modified, JV, and Varsity Levels." He has been in touch with Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips on that issue, and is expected to meet with him for discussion.

O-M Football Coach Bob Lee, whose team folded after two games this past season due to an inadequate number of players, told the board he was concerned about his coaching staff's future -- whether it would be included in any joint football program with another district. "I don't want us left out in the wind," he told the board.

--Student Tailith Smith, who is graduating in January and entering the Marine Corps shortly thereafter, explained to the board that he wants to attend graduation in June with his class, walking alongside graduating twin brother Shane, but wearing his Marine uniform instead of a graduation robe. He told the board that the symbolism and tradition of the uniform -- which embraces the ever-serious goal of defending the country -- precludes it from being covered by a graduation robe. Accordingly, he asked for an exemption.

Board President Rob Halpin asked when he needed an answer, and was told by High School Principal Chris Wood that any time before graduation would be fine, although sooner might be better. The board took no action -- a failure criticized by Coach Lee, an Army veteran who said "I'd approve that request tonight."

--The CSEA's Carlisle also assailed a district lunch policy that he said was jettisoned by the Board years ago, but word of which "apparently never got down to the cafeteria workers." It calls for the lunch entree of any student owing the district money to be removed from the student's tray and thrown away, to be replaced by a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He said the policy "belittles students" in front of their classmates, and "isn't cost effective" because it means discarding $1.75 worth of food on average 20 times a week. "It's a ridiculous policy," he said.

No action was taken by the board, nor did it comment.

Photos in text: From top: Interim Superintendent Peter Punzo, board member Rob Tuttle, and student Tailith Smith.

Contest winners

Four Watkins Glen High School Health Education students were among the winners in a Red Ribbon Week (October Drug Prevention Week) quiz contest sponsored by the Council on Alcoholism and Addictions of the Finger Lakes. Winners were chosen randomly from those scoring 100% on the quiz. From left above: Freshman Emmie Bond (who won a $100 Visa gift card); junior Megan Hoy (a $50 gift card), senior Elizabeth Reed (a $50 gift card), Council representative Gretchen Silliman, 7th grader Ellie Clarkson (who won a laptop computer), and WGHS Health Educator Margaret Swinnerton.

The five inductees, from left: Kalea Jones, Ian Chedzoy, Ashley Palmer, Jon Brown
and Brooke Shaffer.

5 join National Honor Society at WGHS

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 8 -- Five Watkins Glen High School students joined the ranks of the National Honor Society Monday night during an induction ceremony in the school auditorium.

The ceremony -- one of two at WGHS during the school year (a second one will be held in the spring) -- saw Kalea Jones, Ian Chedzoy, Ashley Palmer, Jon Brown and Brooke Shaffer sworn in after donning NHS robes.

Each was introduced by a member of the National Honor Society following opening remarks by chapter president Colin DeMeritt and explanations by him and other officers about the four criteria upon which membership is based: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

Four candles on the auditorium stage were lit, one for each such principle, while chapter members onstage observed. The chapter now has three dozen members. Teacher Kelly Muir is the advisor.

A reception with food was held in the hallway outside the auditorium immediately following the ceremony.

*****

Photos in text:

Top: The four candles signifying the four tenets of the National Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

Bottom: The National Honor Society chapter president, Colin DeMeritt, addresses the audience on hand for the ceremony.

The inductees, after donning their robes, prepare to make their way to the stage.

All 7 fall teams at WG earn Scholar status

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 8 -- All seven of the Watkins Glen Central School District’s varsity fall athletic teams recently earned Scholar Athlete status from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

Below are the teams and the combined Grade Point Average of each:

Girls Varsity Swimming -- 95.636
Girls Varsity Cross Country -- 94.375
Boys Varsity Cross Country -- 94.286
Boys Varsity Soccer -- 93.500
Girls Varsity Soccer -- 93.333
Varsity Football -- 90.583
Varsity Volleyball -- 90.375

WG's Perrone is Student of Month at Bush

Special to
The Odessa File

HORSEHEADS, Dec. 5 -- Courtney Perrone, a student in the Culinary Arts program, has been selected as the Career and Technical Education Program Student of the Month for October at the GST BOCES Bush Education Center. She is a senior at Watkins Glen High School.

Perrone has logged many work experience hours by assisting with Culinary Arts activities outside of class time, said Instructor Karen Mecum. “Courtney is always prepared and takes initiative in class,” said Mecum.

Perrone worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension at the residential camp during the past summer. She spent extra time volunteering as an assistant cooking teacher and at times ran the class herself, said Mecum. She earned accolades from the head cook and nutrition program educator for her work.

The Student of the Month is selected by a committee of CTE staff based on nominations.

Photo in text: Courtney Perrone (right) was nominated for Student of the Month by Culinary Arts Instructor Karen Mecum (left). (Photo provided)

Water Wednesdays raise funds for well

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 4 -- Seventh-graders at Watkins Glen High School are tackling an ambitious fundraising project during the holiday season. The students are attempting to raise $15,000 by December 15 to build a well for a village in South Sudan through the Water for South Sudan charity.

Since the project began in early November, students have scheduled several fundraising activities at the High School during the lunch hour on “Water Wednesdays.” At the Water Wednesday on December 3, students could donate for a chance to throw whip cream pies at seventh-graders from 11:13 to 11:40 a.m., or seniors from 12 to 12:27 p.m. There also was a push-up contest and bake sales.

Seventh graders recently read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, which tells the story of Nya, an 11-year-old girl in South Sudan who must travel two hours from her home twice a day to get the only water available for her family. The path she travels is unsafe and the water she collects is unsanitary.

After reading the story, students were given the chance to either write an essay or to attempt to raise funds for a well, said Tammy Kellogg, grade 7 English teacher. The group overwhelmingly chose to raise funds.

Students have challenged each grade in the district to raise $1,000 toward the goal. They’ve shared their message with every class in the district, as well as faculty members, administrators and the Board of Education. They’ve also made presentations to the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club and the staff of a local mental health clinic.

“They’re working extremely hard, but they’re trying to keep it fun,” said Kellogg of her students. She added that the group also will host a dance and are planning a family fun night to raise funds for the project.

The students welcome donations from the community.

To contribute, visit www.waterforsouthsudan.org and dedicate your donation to Watkins Glen School, or contact takellogg@wgcsd.org.

Left: Jaden Bailor (left) and Isaac Hough enjoyed their Thanksgiving celebration. Right: First-graders made festive hats to wear for their meal. (Photos provided)

1st graders share Thanksgiving meal

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Nov. 26 -- First-graders at B.C. Cate Elementary School celebrated Thanksgiving a little early as they came together on November 20th to share a feast that they prepared.

Leading up to this event, students learned about the first Thanksgiving, and a reading group in Mrs. Fazzary’s class worked on a Reader’s Theater about the peace treaty signed by the pilgrims and Native Americans.

The first-grade classes worked together to make all of the food for the feast, which included tur- key, mashed potatoes, applesauce, corn and cornbread. Dessert was homemade pumpkin pie.

The teachers and students wish to thank Jelly Beans Restaurant in Gang Mills for donating the turkey and corn, Pine Valley Farms for donating the pumpkins, and the cafeteria staff at the school for their assistance.

Leftover pies were donated to the Town of Veteran Historical Society bake sale.

From left: Inductees Sage Garrison, Angela Hess, Emelia Paulisczak and Collin Povoski.

6 join National Honor Society at O-M

ODESSA, Nov. 21 -- Six Odessa-Montour High School students joined the ranks of the National Honor Society Thursday night during an induction ceremony in O-M's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

Joining the NHS were sophomores Paxtyn Brown, Alyssa Crout, Sage Garrison, Angela Hess, Emelia Paulisczak and Collin Povoski. Each was introduced by NHS members.

The ceremony's guest speaker was O-M alum Danielle Bannister, a social worker who urged the Society members to "develop your leadership skills by taking the service approach."

Principal Chris Wood said the world "and our local community need leaders now more than ever. My challenge to this group is: What will you do to make this a better community and a better world?"

The ceremony featured the lighting of candles to symbolize the criteria upon which membership selection is based: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character. Candles were lit by NHS members Callie Stillman, Logan Barrett, Joe Rorick and Samantha House.

Photo in text: Inductees Alyssa Crout, left, and Paxtyn Brown.

From left: The ceremony's guest speaker, Danielle Bannister; candle-lighter Callie Stillman; and principal Chris Wood.

Girls on the Run participants

Girls (pictured above) from the Bradford Central School District participated in the Girls On The Run 5K in Hornell on Sunday, Nov. 9. They are in grades 3 through 5. The coaches are Heather Monell, Jenn Schoffner and Tara Simons. The photo was snapped at the race. (Photo provided)

7th graders raising funds for Sudan well

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 6 -- A trio of seventh-grade Watkins Glen School District students outlined to Watkins-Montour Rotarians Thursday how they and their classmates are trying to raise $15,000 to finance construction of a well in the Republic of South Sudan, a country in Africa.

The project is an offshoot of a book seventh graders read, "Long Walk to Water," as part of a Common Core Curriculum module this school year. The book told of the plight of South Sudan residents whose women spend hours each day walking water to their villages -- water that is muddy and leaves those who drink it susceptible to diseases. A properly drilled well can provide clean water.

The students, through fund raisers and donations from fellow students -- and a challenge to faculty, administration and the School Board to donate -- hope to achieve their goal by mid-December.

On hand at Thursday's weekly Rotary luncheon to explain the project were seventh graders Ali LaMoreaux, Adrienna Solomon and Raiana Labonte, along with English Language Arts teacher Tammy Kellogg.

Photo in text: From left, Adrienna Solomon, Raiana Labonte and Ali LaMoreaux at the Rotary Club luncheon.

Much of the Field House gym floor has been stripped down to its concrete base.

1st game on new gym floor set for Dec. 16

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 31 -- Work is well under way to replace the Watkins Glen High School gym floor, damaged by flooding on Oct. 11.

Water from an adjoining locker room -- pouring out when a flush-valve malfunctioned -- flooded the Field House gym, leaving moisture on and underneath the hardwood flooring used for basketball and other sports.

The floor is being replaced from the north wall to the folding wall on the far side of the basketball court, and from the west wall to a point near the east wall.

Workers for the DeClerck Flooring firm out of Arkport -- the same company that installed the floor originally during construction of the Field House -- have been cutting out sections of the floor and removing them to a dumpster, and then prying and sliding out sub-flooring that leads to a concrete base.

Pockets of moisture continue to be found, said one worker, leading to overnight heat treatments to dry them out.

Two sections of floor with the word "Senecas" have been carefully cut out, said Athletic Manager Erich Kramer, and are expected to be given to two people on staff who requested them. Two larger sections, with the words "Glen" and "Watkins," are also being salvaged.

Work is expected to be completed by mid-December, with the first games on the new floor set for Dec. 16 -- Watkins Glen junior varsity and varsity girls basketball games. The girls' Holiday Tournament is also set for the main gym's new floor on Dec. 26-27.

The first boys games on the new court will come with the Holiday Tournament on Jan. 2 and 3.

While four scheduled boys scrimmages have been moved to other area schools, no boys games have been displaced, said Kramer. One, against Tioga, had already been rescheduled from mid-December to the Holiday Tournament. The girls will play a couple of home games in the new, smaller gym located where the old pool used to be.

Cost of the floor project, covered by insurance, was set at $149,300.

Photos in text: A worker pries up some sub-flooring; and a section of the floor being saved.

Watkins district highlighted in report

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 29 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District’s efforts to provide access to technology for its students were highlighted in the Smart Schools Commission Report released this week.

The Smart Schools Commission was created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to create a plan for spending a proposed $2 billion bond for increasing technology in schools. On Nov. 4, New York voters will be asked to approve a proposal to borrow $2 billion to fund the plan.

The report details seven keys to success for achieving a Smart School. Watkins Glen is highlighted under Key 6 –“Focus on in-demand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) skills to ensure that students graduate with 21st century skills.”

In July, representatives of the Watkins Glen Central School District were invited to present the district’s STEM program and plans for the future to a subcommittee of Governor Cuomo’s Smart Schools Commission. Tom Phillips, superintendent, and Nan Woodworth Shaw, director of curriculum, instruction and student services, spoke about the district’s Mobile Learning Device initiative, as well as the new STEM classroom that opened this fall at Watkins Glen High School.

Water Aerobics classes offered locally

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Oct. 29 -- Odessa-Montour Central School (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) and Watkins Glen Central School (“Aqua Aerobics”) are hosting new sessions of water aerobics classes -- and registration time is here. Everyone over 18 is welcome.

Odessa-Montour’s sessions begin Monday, Nov. 10 and run for nine weeks, with Thursday classes beginning Nov. 13. Classes run from 7-8 p.m.

The next session at Watkins Glen Central School begins Tuesday, Nov. 4 for seven sessions. Classes run from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

All classes need sufficient registered participants to be scheduled, so organizers urge registration now to ensure that the classes can be held.

All sessions are $7 per class; walk-ins are welcome, too. Register online at www.gstboces.org or call Carol at 607-739-8170 or 739-7905.

The classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

Damaged WG gym floor to be replaced

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 22 -- The floor in the Watkins Glen High School Field House -- flooded by water from a flush-valve malfunction in an adjoining locker room on Oct. 11 -- will be replaced from the north wall to the folding wall on the far side of the basketball court.

The project, costing $149,300 and covered by insurance, will be undertaken by DeClerck Flooring, which installed the floor originally. School Superintendent Tom Phillips said the job will begin "soon, hopefully in the next week or so" and be done in time for the basketball season -- although preseason will require adjustments, including use of the new gym where the school's old pool used to exist.

The flooding -- up to four inches of water poured across the floor -- was discovered just before the start of the Candor-Watkins Glen varsity football game on Saturday, Oct. 11. Phillips said he was alerted while down by the football field, and upon investigating encountered School Resource Officer David Waite at the gym, too.

Together, they found the water "shooting out of a urinal in the locker room," Phillips said. "It was powerful."

An electronic flush valve had malfunctioned "and overwhelmed the drains," he added. The result, by the time the water was shut off and drained away, was a gym floor compromised by the moisture -- damage not easily visible, but easily felt by anyone walking on the hard maple boards along the edge of the gym.

The court itself was used as recently as Monday of this week for a volleyball match, but cannot be used for basketball.

"The floor didn't buckle," said Phillips, "but individual pieces started to curl at the edges. There's no way you can bounce a basketball on it; the ball goes everywhere." The worst damage is to the side of the court, he noted, "but there are spots on the basketball court where the substructure is not good."

Accordingly, he said, the entire floor to the folding doors -- the damage stopped just short of there -- will be removed and replaced, "from the concrete up." The delay to this point has been part of the process involved in awaiting insurance approval, which was given following an adjuster's visit.

If the accident had occurred a couple of weeks later, Phillips said, it would have impacted the start of the basketball season and possibly Christmas Tournament play. "And if it happened during the season," he added, "it would have been a disaster."

Photos in text: The north end of the gym (top) and the portable wall at the south end (bottom). A track and expansion joint will be installed for the portable door, allowing it to open and close without rubbing on the wood floor, as it does now. (File photos)

Elizabeth Reed named Commended Student

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Sept 24 -- Elizabeth Reed, a senior at Watkins Glen High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented to Reed by Principal Kai D’Alleva.

Reed is one of about 34,000 Commended Students in the U.S. Although she will not continue in the 2015 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2015 competition by taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Ribbon-cutting celebrates single campus

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 29 -- More than 100 people were on hand late Thursday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the Watkins Glen School District's single-campus facility.

Speakers at the ceremony, staged in front of the renovated north end of the high school, included Superintendent Tom Phillips; State Senator Tom O'Mara; former School Board president Tom Richardson; Dick Robertson, construction manager for Welliver, which built the addition; and Keith Miller, project manager for Hunt Engineers, Architects and Surveyors, the project designers.

A reception followed the ceremony, and so did a tour of the addition.

"We now have a 21st-century learning facility and we have streamlined operations," said Phillips.

The $24.6 million project added more than 19,000 square feet to the campus. Included are an expanded and modernized library, new district offices, additional gym space (an old pool was converted), and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) center.

Phillips pointed to the STEM addition as key to the project, and key for students entering an increasingly competitive working world.

The old Middle School north on Decatur Street closed with the end of the last school year. Students have been phased out of that school grade by grade for the past couple of years, until now -- with the upcoming opening of the school year, all district students, K-12, will be on the same campus, off 12th Street.

Watkins receives grant to expand UPK

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 18 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District was recently awarded a New York State UPK Expansion Grant in the amount of $485,056.

The grant will allow the district to expand its pre-kindergarten program to full day.

Children who will be four years old on or before December 1 are eligible for the district’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. Interested parents are asked to call the Elementary Office at 535-3220 to request an application.

The following items need to be included with the completed application:
• child’s birth certificate
• immunization record
• record of physical exam
• proof of childhood lead testing
• completed health history
• custody papers, if applicable
• three proofs of residency (examples: tax or utility bills, lease agreement, etc.)

Call the Elementary Office with questions or for more information.

Catholic Charities leads Back to School drive

Special to
The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, July 23 -- In partnership with local businesses, Catholic Charities is requesting the public's help in preparing kids for a successful school year. From now through August 18, new or like-new clothing, sneakers and backpacks and new school supplies will be collected at the following drop off locations:

--Cabins to Castles Real Estate, Watkins Glen
--Famous Brands, Watkins Glen – receive 10% off your purchase when you make a donation
--Glen Mountain Market, Watkins Glen
--Maguire Motors, Watkins Glen & Ithaca Locations

“As a mother/father/guardian, you want the best for your child,” said Lindsay Winters, Catholic Charities’ Director of Development. “But what if you couldn’t financially make ends meet? Can you imagine sending your child to school in clothes with holes, sneakers that are too tight, a tattered backpack or without the needed school supplies for success? Please donate today. With the help of our local businesses and people like you, we can ensure all kids start the year off right.”

Monetary donations may be sent to Catholic Charities, 607 N Franklin St., Watkins Glen, NY 14891 or made online at cs-cc.org. Please indicate Schuyler County Back to School Drive.

Catholic Charities’ Back to School Giveaway will be held at Schuyler Outreach on August 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (recipients must be Schuyler County residents). From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., organizers plan to offer free haircuts by local barbers and beauticians. Anyone wishing to donate time to cut hair, call Nancy at 607-228-5021.

Hospital Auxiliary awards scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, July 8 -- The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary has awarded $1,000 scholarships to two high school students who are planning to enter the healthcare field, as well as a Schuyler Hospital staff member advancing her education.

Samantha Gill, daughter of Patrick and Emogene Gill of Watkins Glen, is a 2014 graduate of Watkins Glen High School. Gill plans to attend LeMoyne College’s Direct Entry Physician Assistant Program in the fall.

Natasha Patel, daughter of Bharatkumar and Neela Patel of Watkins Glen, is also a 2014 graduate of Watkins Glen High School. Patel will attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges in the fall, with plans of becoming a specialty surgeon.

Michele Myers, Director of Rehabilitation Services for Schuyler Hospital, where she has worked for 20 years, is pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica College.

Scholarship awards are presented each year to two graduating high school seniors who live or attend school in Schuyler County and plan to enter careers in the healthcare field, as well as to a Schuyler Hospital employee advancing his or her education.

Awards are based on academic achievement, volunteerism, and personal essays.

Previous recipients have been in such diverse fields as orthopedics, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, speech therapy, and pharmacy.

The Auxiliary awarded its first scholarship of $250 in1990. Over the next twenty years it has grown to three $1,000 scholarships annually. Funds for the awards are raised through the auxiliary’s hospital gift shop and other volunteer activities.

For more information about the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary, go to www.schuylerhospital.org

Photo in text: From left, scholarship winners Samantha Gill, Michele Myers (standing), and Natasha Patel. (Photo provided)

Scholarship winners

Three Watkins Glen High School graduating seniors were presented scholarships on June 28 by the Watkins Glen High School Alumni Association at its 89th Annual Banquet, held at the Community Center in the Clute Park complex. The recipients were, from left: Mitchell Mangus ($1,500), Natasha Patel ($2,000), and Megan Daigle ($1,500). (Photo by Don Romeo)

O-M Superintendent Jim Frame (left), teacher Kevin Tarbert (fifth from left) and Principal Chris Wood (second from right) are joined by Cargill Cares Committee members (l-r) Mike VanZile, Jerry Dunlavey, Phil Pamel, Keith Klug, Clay Furniss, Bill Lindsley and Sherry Saunders. (Photo provided)

O-M receives grant for science equipment

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, July 2 -- High school science students at Odessa-Montour will engage in inquiry-based STEM education next fall thanks to a grant from Cargill.

Teacher Kevin Tarbert wrote the proposal for the grant -- amounting to $29,046 -- which will be used to fund the Outdoor Inquiry Project at O-M. The project will include six STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) high school science courses. The grant will be used to purchase resources and equipment, including a wireless weather station, probes and sensors, dissecting and polarizing microscopes, transit compasses, and general lab materials such as test kits, rubber boots and geological picks.

The Outdoor Inquiry Project will utilize the region’s natural resources to provide outdoor learning experiences that integrate environmental education topics into secondary science curricula, said Tarbert. The intent is to build students’ interest and attitudes toward science, increase their levels of environmental literacy, improve their critical thinking skills and ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world settings and lab work, and increase student achievement of New York State Learning Standards.

Tarbert developed a “wish list” of items he wanted for his students and was awarded the entire amount he asked for. According to Keith Klug, plant manager for Cargill in Watkins Glen, the grant was provided through a combination of funds from the local Cargill facility, a matching grant from the Cargill Salt Community Environmental Program and a matching grant from the Cargill Global Partnership Fund.

“Cargill takes environmental stewardship seriously, and we enjoy working with our communities to enhance education and to support environmental awareness,” said Klug.

“This grant will help radically change our science department,“ said O-M Superintendent Jim Frame. “It is essential to the implementation of the STEM curriculum in our district, and is making possible what could have taken us years to accomplish.”

Suddaby receives $1,000 Arc scholarship

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 30 -- The Arc of Schuyler’s Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Watkins Glen High School graduate Lindsey Suddaby at the school's June 28 commencement ceremony.

The $1,000 scholarship honors Joanne Hayes, former board member and president of The Arc of Schuyler’s board of directors who passed away in 1987. The award is given annually to a graduating senior pursuing an education in human services, special education, or a related field for a career providing supports to people with developmental disabilities.

Suddaby, daughter of Rick and Kim Suddaby of Burdett, is enrolled at Ithaca College to study speech pathology and American Sign Language. She aspires to be a Speech Therapist and assist children and adults who are deaf or have a disability.

Lindsey was ranked near the top of her graduating class and was a member of the varsity swimming, bowling and track-and-field teams. She held leadership roles in National Honor Society and Music Club, and was a member of Student Council and Rotary Interact Club. She was honored in May as Watkins-Montour Rotary Student of the Month and in June as a member of the Top Drawer 24. In addition to her athletic and academic achievements and volunteer work, she has held a part-time job as a Watkins Glen lifeguard and instructor.

The Joanne Hayes Memorial Scholarship is made possible through donations to The Arc of Schuyler, a not-for-profit organization providing supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. For more information, visit www.arcofschuyler.org.

Photo in text: Lindsey Suddaby

Middle School Principals

WATKINS GLEN, June 25 -- Five educators who have served as principal of the Watkins Glen Middle School were present Wednesday, June 25, for a celebration of the history and tradition of the building, which will soon become senior housing. The building was sold as part of the school district's consolidation to a single campus on 12th Street in Watkins Glen. From left: Kai D'Alleva, who has been principal this school year; Charlena Curry Brown, who served from 1969-1977; Brian O'Donnell, (1981-88); Dave Warren (2001-03); and Kristine Somerville (2003-13). The celebration featured remarks by O'Donnell in the school auditorium, and then an opportunity for attendees to tour the building's hallways.

Student Council donates $200 to Habitat

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 19, 2014-- Schuyler County Habitat for Humanity has received a gift of $200 from the Watkins Glen High School Student Council in memory of loved ones of WGHS.

The gift furthers the effort of Habitat for Humanity to construct a home for a qualified family. The home is presently under construction at 130 Havana Glen Road, and is dedicated to the memory of Dave Centurelli of the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department.

Work days at the site are Wednesdays and Saturdays. Information regarding volunteering can be obtained at www.schuylerhabitat.org. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 45, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

General meetings of Habitat for Humanity are held at 7 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month at the Silver Spoon Café in the Human Services Complex, Montour Falls.

Photo in text: The Habitat home on Havana Glen Road on Friday, June 20.

Schuyler Scholars

Seniors from Watkins Glen High School honored Wednesday night as Schuyler Scholars during a dinner at the Harbor Hotel pose with their plaques afterward. From left: Corey Flahive, Natasha Patel, Samantha Gill, Matt Woodworth, Principal Dave Warren, Caitlin Connelly, Megan Daigle, Matt Gill, Emily Doppel, Lindsey Suddaby and Joseph Roth. Top academic seniors from the Odessa-Montour and Bradford High Schools were also honored. Those from O-M were Jenelle Bleiler, Hayley Guild, Hayden Moss, Maia Rumsey, Trisha Williams and Jasmine Wittig. From Bradford: Amanda Machuga, Nicholas Machuga and Melanie Meighan. (Photo provided)

Miss Wixson’s 6th-grade students carry their banner around the track. (Photo provided)

Odessa-Montour hosts Relay Recess

Special to
The Odessa File

ODESSA, June 20 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District held its fifth annual Mini-Relay for Life, now called Relay Recess, on Thursday, June 5, at the school track.

This year, the theme of the event was “Racing Towards a Cure.” The event included laps by grade
with class banners, a banner contest and stations that students rotated through. Station topics included physical activity, nutrition and sun safety.

BC Cate students and staff (grades PreK-2) participated at the track in the morning, and Hanlon Elementary students and staff (grades 3-6) held their Relay Recess in the afternoon.

Photo in text: B.C. Cate students learned yoga at one of the Relay Recess stations. (Photo provided)

3 receive $500 scholarships from SFLW

MONTOUR FALLS, June 17 -- At the Leaders of Tomorrow Annual Celebration held June 16 by the Southern Finger Lakes Women, a Chapter of New York State Women, Inc., three $500 scholarships were awarded to Schuyler County high school seniors. The ceremony was held at the Montour Falls Moose Lodge.

Student winners are as follows:

Kaylyn Teemley. Kaylyn is the daughter of Bill and Kimberly Teemley. She is graduating from Odessa-Montour Junior-Senior High School. Kaylyn has also been busy filling her schedule with college courses during her high school career. As a result, she will enter Corning Community College in the fall ready to complete her Associates Degree after only three semesters. After that, Kaylyn will be transferring to Mercy College to pursue her Bachelor's Degree of Music Industry and Technology. Kaylyn has already started down the path of a career in the audio field through working as an intern and with other professionals in the field. Throughout high school, she has volunteered for various activities and programs, including local concerts, talent shows, Live Like Liz and school plays.

Megan Daigle. Megan is the daughter and stepdaughter of Kristine and Mike Morseman. She is graduating from Watkins Glen High School and will be attending Le Moyne College in the fall, pursuing a path in marketing, sales, and management, with the intent of obtaining her MBA. Megan has been taking all college courses in her senior year. In addition to continuous involvement in many after-school related functions, she is actively involved with her community as well as an employee at the Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor.

Samantha Gill. Samantha is the daughter of Patrick and Emogene Gill. She is graduating third in her class at Watkins Glen High School and will be attending Le Moyne College in the fall beginning in the Direct Entry Physician Assistant Program. Samantha earned this spot out of hundreds of applicants. This rigorous program will allow her to complete her undergrad studies in Biological Sciences in less than four years and move her into the graduate Physician Assistant Program for her fourth and fifth years of college.

New York State Women, Inc., provides members with professional development, networking, and career advancement resources. Its mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. The Southern Finger Lakes Women Chapter meets on the 3rd Monday of each month. For more information about the chapter, contact Gloria Hutchings at (607) 594-2489 or JoAnne Krolak at (607) 732-1171.

Photo in text: From left: Samantha Gill, Megan Daigle and Kaylyn Teemley. (Photo provided)

Somerville on Dean's List at West Point

WEST POINT, NY, June 16, 2014 -- Cadet Brett Somerville, son of Jim and Kristine Somerville of Watkins Glen, has been named to the Dean"s List for the Spring Semester at the U.S. Military Academy. He is an engineering psychology major.

Somerville (right) graduated from Watkins Glen High School in 2012 and will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation at West Point.

The U.S. Military Academy is a four-year co-educational federal undergraduate liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. Founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering, it consistently ranks as one of the top colleges in the nation. A pre-eminent leader development institution, its mission remains constant -- to educate, train and inspire cadets for careers of professional service to the Army and the nation.

Somerville will be continuing his military training this summer in Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Photo in text: Cadet Brett Somerville (Photo provided)

The NHS inductees. From left: Portia Wells, Margaret Bond, Brenen Murphy, Bernadette Osborne, Claire McManus, Megan Hoy, Cheyenne Stansfield, Lucas Wickham, Katherine Meehan and Brandon Pike.

10 join Honor Society at WG

WATKINS GLEN, June 5 -- Ten students joined the ranks of the Watkins Glen High School chapter of the National Honor Society during an induction ceremony Wednesday night in the school auditorium.

Joining the 36 incumbent members were Brandon Pike, Cheyenne Stansfield, Portia Wells, Lucas Wickham, Margaret Bond, Megan Hoy, Claire McManus, Katherine Meehan, Brenen Murphy and Bernadette Osborne.

The ceremony featured a piano prelude by member Taylor Kennard. NHS President Samantha Gill gave opening and closing remarks, the latter bringing each of the graduating seniors forward to identify themselves and tell where they will be going to college.

There are 14 such seniors: Samantha and Matthew Gill, Megan Daigle, Lindsey Suddaby, Caitlin Connelly, Alexis Naylor, Abbey Willis, Natasha Patel, Emily Doppel, Becca McIntyre, Nathaniel Beaumont, Erika Rhodes, Joseph Roth and Matthew Woodworth.

The officers -- Samantha Gill, Megan Daigle (vice president), Lindsey Suddaby (secretary) and Caitlin Connelly (treasurer) -- each explained one of the four pillars of the National Honor Society (Leadership, Scholarship, Service and Character), and lit a symbolic candle.

After the new inductees had been introduced -- each through a speech by incumbent members -- they marched to the stage in newly donned robes, carrying candles in a darkened auditorium, and recited an NHS pledge. Then they blew out their candles, and were thus members.

Photos in text: Portia Wells, left, and Maggie Bond recite the NHS pledge while holding symbolic candles on a darkened stage; NHS president Samantha Gill.

Inductees Cheyenne Stansfield and Brenen Murphy don their Honor Society robes.

Donation will buy kayaks for WG students

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 24 -- A $3,425 donation from the estate of a Watkins Glen graduate and her husband will allow the district to purchase four kayaks and related equipment for use in physical education classes.

The donation was made by Bill Pylypciw, Jr., in memory of his parents, William and Delores Bartone Pylypciw. His mother was a 1940 graduate of Watkins Glen High School.

In a letter that accompanied the check, Pylypciw said: "Although most of their married life they lived outside of Watkins, this was still home to them and they loved it here."

He added: "They would enjoy knowing they were providing students with a chance to enjoy this beautiful lake."

The Top 10% honorees in the WGHS senior class posed after the ceremony. From left: Tyler Cummings, Sam Pulis, Matt Woodworth, Lindsey Suddaby, Samantha Gill, Matt Gill, guest speaker Sam Brubaker, Principal Dave Warren, Megan Daigle, Caitlin Connelly, Abbey Willis and Emily DeSantis. Not pictured: Erika Rhodes, who had already departed.

WGHS honors Top 10% of its students

WATKINS GLEN, May 21 -- It was, as retiring Watkins Glen High School principal Dave Warren said, "the beginning of the celebration season."

It was the annual Top Ten% Celebration Tuesday evening in the WGHS cafeteria, where students in the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes were honored for placing in the top 10% of their class academically during the school year just ending.

Warren, the emcee, said it was different than the Top 10 honor bestowed later in the school year and reserved for seniors based on accumulated high school careers.

"It is not an easy thing that you have done," he told the honorees, adding in an aside to the parents present: "Enjoy it."

Guest speaker was Physical Education teacher Sam Brubaker (right), who related how he had graduated from WGHS with the intent to enter the engineering field, but that after attending Bucknell and finding a job in his field, learned "it wasn't for me." His calling, as it turned out, was teaching, which required him to return to college -- not something he had anticipated doing.

But he did, and "today I am truly a person who enjoys going to work every day ... well, almost."

He told the students that whatever careers they pursue, "put in the time and effort" needed to succeed, and they will be able to do so.

Superintendent Tom Phillips, in closing remarks, noted that on July 1 Principal Warren will conclude a career that has spanned 34 years at Watkins Glen. He thanked Warren "for all you have done for me in my eight years here and for the students and community." And turning to Warren, he gave him a big hug.

Then, turning back to the students, Phillips told them that as they enter the working world, "change with it, but stay true to yourselves."

Concluded Warren, speaking to the parents and fighting back some tears: "Every year, every moment, I've thoroughly enjoyed working with your kids."

The honorees, by class, were:

Class of 2017: Jacob Carocci, Ruthe Gardner, Sara Gardner, Alexander Gibson, Sara Morrissette, Brienna Solomon, Payton Watson, Cambria Weeden and Phebe Wickham.

Class of 2016: Maggie Bond, Megan Hoy, Claire McManus, Katherine Meehan, Brenen Murphy, Brandon Pike, Cheyenne Stansfield, Portia Wells and Lucas Wickham.

Class of 2015: Samantha Bradley, LynnAnn Caslin, Colin DeMeritt, Mikayla Elliott, Luke Flahive, Madison Gates, Alexis Gonzalez, Lydia Myers, Elizabeth Reed and Taylor Yaw.

Class of 2014: Caitlin Connelly, Tyler Cummings, Megan Daigle, Emily DeSantis, Matt Gill, Samantha Gill, Sam Pulis, Erika Rhodes, Lindsey Suddaby, Abbey Willis and Matt Woodworth.

****

Photos in text:

Top: Principal Dave Warren congratulates junior Samantha Bradley as honorees Luke Flahive and LynnAnn Caslin await similar greetings.

Middle: Guest speaker Sam Brubaker addresses the audience.

Bottom: Superintendent Tom Phillips and Principal Dave Warren exchange a hug.

Conklin earns Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Special to The Odessa File

ROCHESTER, May 14, 2014-- Dr. Jaclyn M. Conklin, PT, DPT received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Nazareth College of Rochester on Sunday, May 11.

While at Nazareth, Conklin was a student clinical instructor. She was also a member of the Nazareth swim team, breaking multiple school and pool records. She also participated in the NCAA Division III National Swimming Championships.

Conklin is the daughter of Gary and Alice Conklin and a 2008 graduate of Watkins Glen High School. She currently resides in Rochester, NY.

Head Start gains Whiteboard through grant

Special to
The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, May 14 -- Schuyler Head Start received what was described as "a generous grant" from the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger lakes Schuyler County Fund to purchase an Interactive Whiteboard.

Hatch's TeachSmart Learning System is a hands-on interactive whiteboard technology tool which enables early childhood teachers to engage children in activities focused on pre-literacy and pre-math skills.

Each of the board's more than 1,100 interactive early childhood learning activities correlate with National and State learning standards. Plus, said Head Start in a press release, "the TeachSmart is fun!"

Photo in text: Head Start's Ashley Cross, left, with Kiera Cartwright. (Photo provided)

WGHS teacher charged, 'relieved of duties' following stun-gun bus incident

WATKINS GLEN, May 2 -- A Watkins Glen High School science teacher was charged Friday morning by Village Police with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child following an incident in which a high school student was found in possession of an electronic stun gun on a school bus.

Village Police said Kathryn E. Barthlomew, 50, of Montour Falls, was charged following investigation of the bus incident. She was issued a ticket to appear in Watkins Glen Village Court on June 12 on the two charges, each a Class A misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A statement from School Superintendent Tom Phillips said the school district "is cooperating with the Watkins Glen Police Department regarding this morning's incident," adding: "The district employee has been relieved of duties at the school pending the results of the investigation. The school is following the district Code of Conduct relating to any disciplinary action. Because this is a personnel matter, the district will make no further comment."

Barthlomew has been serving as President of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association. She is also known locally as chair of the Schuyler County Environmental Management Council.

According to Village Police, the bus incident occurred when the driver communicated to the bus garage that there was a suspected weapon in the possession of a student on the vehicle. That message was relayed to police headquarters, and minutes later Sgt. Steve Decker and School Resource Officer David Waite intercepted the bus near Decatur and 10th Streets.

Police said the student was removed from the bus and questioned. He had in his possession the stun gun, which was taken from him by police. Decker said such a gun could be purchased on the Internet for $35. It is far different from a taser used by police, he said -- the latter being an $800 item with sophistiated electronics and controls that require training. A stun gun, he said, is legal in some states, but not in New York.

The student, police said, was not charged. But the investigation, they added, led them to Barthlomew, who was at the school preparing for the day's classes. The stun gun "had been in her possession first," Decker said, before ending up in the possession of the student.

How it reached the student was not a matter police were revealing, Decker explaining that the department was trying to cooperate with the school district as it dealt with a sensitive personnel issue.

But he added: "There was nothing illegal in the transfer" of the stun gun. The student "didn't steal it."

Photo in text: Kathryn Bartholomew

Gates to study in Beijing this summer

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 25 -- Madison Gates, an 11th-grade student at Watkins Glen High School, has been selected by Americans Promoting Study Abroad (APSA) and Corning Incorporated to attend the APSA China Study Abroad Summer Program to be held in Beijing from June 28 to August 11.

“I’m really excited,” Gates said. “This is a great opportunity to see another culture and the world in a wider scope.”

This is the second year that Watkins Glen students have been selected for the program. Corey Flahive and Hannah Armstrong attended last year.

The APSA China Scholars Program focuses on language acquisition, cultural understanding, leadership development and exposure to international careers. The program is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. State Department National Security Language Initiative for Youth, administered by American Councils.

Additional funding comes from private sources. Corning Inc. supports the program locally.

“Corning has been instrumental in recruiting and selecting students from area schools, and we are grateful that this opportunity has been provided again this year,” said Nan Woodworth-Shaw, director of instruction and student services for the Watkins Glen Central School District.

Photo in text: Madison Gates (Photo provided)

Water Aerobics classes seek participants

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, April 18 -- Get fit and have fun, loosen up and laugh! Odessa-Montour Central School and Watkins Glen Central School are hosting water aerobics classes (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) this spring, but you have to move fast!

Everyone over 18 is welcome. Odessa-Montour’s sessions begin Monday, April 21 and run for five weeks, with Thursday classes beginning April 24. Watkins Glen Central School is hosting “Aqua Aerobics” classes. The next session begins Tuesday, April 22.

All classes need sufficient registered participants to be scheduled, and some sessions are in danger of being cancelled if more folks don’t register.

Call NOW to ensure that these classes are scheduled! All sessions are $7 per class. Register online at www.gstboces.org or call Carol at 607-739-8170 or 7905.

The classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

Dan Whelan of Bearsch Compeau Knudson, Architects & Engineers of Binghamton, as he explained the Middle School plan to the Watkins Glen Planning Board in November. The board approved the project, which will convert the school to apartments

Watkins Glen Middle School project gets needed funding

Apartment complex, already OK'd by Planning Board, is good to go

WATKINS GLEN, April 17 -- The developer planning to convert the Watkins Glen Middle School into apartments got a much needed economic shot in the arm Wednesday with announcement of a $3,839,219 grant -- a key element in moving ahead with the nearly $14 million project.

The grant was awarded to S.E.P.P., Inc. of Binghamton for "the adaptive reuse of the former Watkins Glen Middle School into 51 units of affordable housing for seniors." It was one of $95 million in state-funded awards announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo for affordable housing developments across the state

The grant, long expected, will permit the S.E.P.P. group to move forward with the project this summer after the Watkins Glen School District vacates the Middle School at the end of the current school year. The sale of the building by the School District last year -- contingent on this grant -- was a key component in the district's move to a single campus.

"Now," said Tony Fiala, executive director of S.E.P.P., "this project is going to move. This was the piece we needed to make this work. We're very happy with it." Had the grant not come through, he admitted, "we'd be in tough shape."

But instead, all systems are now "go," he said, with the remainder of the needed funds coming "through different financing sources." The project could take up to two years to complete, although the start date hinges both on the timing of the grant funds' release, and on the time required by the school district to vacate the building after classes end in June. That is not, however, expected to take long, he noted.

The Middle School project is also considered a key element in Project Seneca, an economic plan that envisions a new wastewater treatment plant shared by Watkins Glen and Montour Falls that would eliminate the existing plant along the Seneca Lake shoreline and trigger lakeside and community development.

The governor's office said the S.E.P.P. grant is part of "a coordinated State investment with the Empire State Development Corporation, which also awarded the project $900,000 last year as part of the 2013 Regional Council Consolidated Funding Application." That $900,000 was earmarked for renovation of the Middle School's existing gymnasium and auditorium, which will be separated from the apartments in the building and used by the community.

S.E.P.P. (Serving the Elderly through Project Planning) has already gained approval for the Middle School renovation from the Watkins Glen Planning Board. The S.E.P.P. group has transformed old schools into similar housing projects in the past.

The apartment complex will be for people 55 and older with incomes up to 80 percent of the average median income.

Few changes in the building's exterior are planned, other than the addition of a wheelchair accessible entrance in the front of the building, new windows throughout, and some masonry restoration. Additional parking will be created in the property's northeast corner, and the asphalt playground at the rear of the property will be eliminated, with a grassy area installed for use by building residents.

"In 2014 every New Yorker deserves a safe, decent and affordable place to call home," Governor Cuomo said in announcing the state awards. "Today we're building on the over $1 billion we've already invested to make that dream a reality."

The funds were available through the New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) Unified Funding Application, a single-source process to apply for several funding streams for affordable, multifamily developments. In total, HCR is making awards to 37 separate projects in the state's 10 economic development regions.

Photo in text: An overhead view of the Middle School housing project, as presented to the Watkins Glen Planning Board in November. The Board gave its blessing to the plan.

Used goods drive to benefit Senior Party

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 15 -- An eco-friendly way to divert waste from our nation’s landfills and reach people in need: The First Annual Used Clothing (and Household Goods) Drive is happening here in May!

Sponsored by the WGHS Parent Committee for the All-Night Senior Party, donations of gently used clothing and household goods will be collected at the Watkins Glen Bus Garage along Decatur Street on three consecutive Saturday mornings -- May 3rd, May 10th and May 17th.

The Parent Committee earns 10 cents a pound for each bag and box of goods donated, and all proceeds go toward the all-night, alcohol-free party honoring WGHS graduating seniors. The sky’s the limit on poundage. Are you up for the challenge??

For a full list of acceptable and unacceptable donations, click on the following link:
http://www.usedclothingdrive.com/acceptable-donations/

Contact: Mary Fanara at (607) 232-4104 with questions or to arrange for a pickup.

Cole earns spot in academic honor society

BROCKPORT, April 15 -- The Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society has selected Cassaundra Cole for membership in the local chapter at The College at Brockport.

Delta Epsilon Iota was established to recognize and encourage academic excellence in all fields of study. Students qualify on the basis of academic achievement. Prospective members must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours at an accredited college or university while maintaining a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average or a scholastic ranking in the top 15% of their class.

Cassaundra, daughter of Tammy and Michael Cole, is a Watkins Glen High School graduate studying health science. She is scheduled to graduate from Brockport in May, and plans to attend a graduate program in Physical Therapy.

Photo at right: Cassaundra Cole (Provided)

Office of Civil Rights to probe Title IX 'equity issue' in Watkins school sports

WATKINS GLEN, April 8 -- An alleged inequality in sports opportunities in the Watkins Glen School District -- favoring boys over girls -- will be the subject of an investigation by the federal Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights following a complaint that the district is violating Title IX regulations.

Title IX is a statute established in 1972 -- part of the Education Amendments of that year that guard against discrimination based on gender "under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

The complaint was filed by Hector resident Kristina Hansen, who parenthetically has since obtained petitions for a run in the upcoming School Board election. Her complaint has triggered the Title IX investigation.

Hansen last year obtained the services of the Cornell Legal Aid Clinic at the Cornell University Law School, which took her Title IX complaint and, in her words, "added legal jargon to it." It was filed with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in New York City by Cornell law students Lauren Bowman and Catherine Eisenhut, with approval of Visiting Clinical Professor Jonathan Feldman.

Their 8-page document was filed, it read, "to complain about ongoing sex discrimination in the athletics programs in the Watkins Glen Central School District on behalf of all female athletes in the district. The complainant asserts that there is unequal funding for boys' and girls' sports in the district and that there are unequal athletic participation opportunities for female students in the district

"Further, the complainant asserts that, by accepting a grant for a boys' high school lacrosse team, the Watkins Glen Board of Education has created even greater disparity in benefits and opportunities between male and female sports ... The complainant now requests that the Office of Civil Rights investigate the illegalities set forth ... and take appropriate action to ensure the WGCSD, a recipient of federal funds, complies with federal law by requiring WGCSD to provide equal benefits and participation opportunities for female students."

The alleged violations involved Board creation of the lacrosse program and acceptance in early 2013 of more than $7,000 in donations for the program, as well as acceptance later in the year of a U.S. Lacrosse First Stick Program Grant "with associated requirements and benefits." Hansen said the requirements included a two-year commitment to varsity boys lacrosse.

Superintendent Tom Phillips, when asked to comment, confirmed the investigation, saying that "legally, I am limited to acknowledging that the District was notified of a Title IX complaint and will work with the Office of Civil Rights to complete their investigation. Should any violations be indicated, the District will work with OCR to address" them.

It is, he also noted, "an equity of opportunity issue."

The final page of the complaint reads: "If, as we strongly suspect, OCR finds unequal treatment in the school athletics programs between male and female students, the complainant asks that WGCSD be required to ensure equitable funding for both boys' and girls' sports teams ... and provide additional athletic participation opportunities for female students. Based on female student interest these additional opportunities could include the addition of new programs, such as creating a girls' lacrosse team, or the expansion of existing programs to accommodate greater participation by female students."

According to Hansen, the investigation should begin soon. "I have been very open about my reason for filing this complaint -- (there is) more money, more effort, more teams for boys," she said. "Lacrosse was the tipping point.

"Beyond the Title IX issue, (there is) so much grumbling in the community about how the lacrosse program came into being, (with) many parents, athletes and Watkins Glen coaches unhappy about how difficult it is now to schedule practice time with the addition of two teams (Modified and Varsity Lacrosse) that need time in the Field House."

Hansen's numbers -- obtained, she said, through the school's Athletic Director's office -- indicate only a moderate advantage by the Watkins Glen boys in terms of total numbers of sports opportunities, although there are more boys teams than girls teams.

There is, however, an evidently growing disparity in funding with the addition of lacrosse financing in the upcoming 2014-15 budget. A look at the budget figures provided to the School Board by Athletic Director Rod Weeden shows the cost of the boys Modified and Varsity Lacrosse programs totals $13,689 -- part of $122,161 provided to 17 boys teams.

Fifteen girls teams, meanwhile, will receive $99,859, a $22,302 disparity. And Hansen says it should be considered more than that since "fall cheerleading is not a sport." Cheerleading -- fall and winter -- is listed in the sports budget as one item, for $10,706.

Six other Watkins Glen squads with both boys and girls on them -- bowling, cross country and four others -- are funded jointly and thus would not reduce the disparity if added equally into the boys and girls budget totals.

Bond named to U. of Rochester Dean's List

Special to The Odessa File

ROCHESTER, NY, April 3 -- Sarah Elizabeth Bond, a junior majoring in biochemistry at the University of Rochester, has been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the fall 2013 semester.

Bond, a resident of Watkins Glen, is the daughter of Christopher Bond and Michelle Bond, and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School.

Glen School Board set to vote on budget with 2.7% levy hike

WATKINS GLEN, April 3 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Wednesday night, at the end of its final budget workshop, directed Superintendent Tom Phillips to prepare documents that will lead the way to board approval Monday night of a proposed 2014-15 budget with a 2.76% tax levy increase.

The 2.76% is the maximum increase permitted under the state tax cap. The total proposed budget amounts to $24,047,481, an increase of 2.99% in spending.

The tax rate will be going up an estimated 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, to $12.51 per $1,000 from $12.18.

The public will vote on the spending plan next month.

Among the highlights outlined by Phillips to the board are the following:

-- The district is taking back Career Development Coordination from BOCES, replacing that person with a "displaced Watkins Glen teacher" -- one of the many who lost their jobs when the district reduced the number of positions under budget constraints in recent years.

-- The district will add a School Psychologist "based on an increase in Special Needs." The position will be advertised, seeking a person with an Educational School Psychology degree -- a Masters in Social Work. If no such person can be found, Phillips said, "we can issue a waiver" to hire a person with a lesser Psychology degree.

-- Two teachers will become Deans of Students -- one for K-6 and one for grades 7-12. Two teachers will be hired on the elementary level, one to replace the selected Dean in the classroom, and one for an additional classroom position.

-- Lacrosse -- both Modified and Varsity -- is being added to the budget. It has been self-funded since being launched last year.

Phillips and district Business Manager Gayle Sedlack also reiterated the savings that will occur with the closing of the Middle School as the district moves to a single campus in the fall, and noted that the fund balance is being boosted back to its maximum-allowed level of 4%. It had been reduced from that level in recent belt-tightening years.

They also pointed out that the state's Gap Elimination Adjustment program initiated in 2009-10 has been reduced somewhat as the state begins what it calls a "restoration" of some of the GEA funding it took from school districts. That program, designed to help the state eliminate gaps in its own budget, sees New York take back a portion of the state aid it hands out to districts each year. That amount in the Watkins district, counting an estimated $1.4 million this year (taken back from state aid of $9.3 million), has amounted to $10.8 million over the program's six years.

The "restoration" this year, in the state's eyes, amounts to $314,000 -- the difference between last yea's takeback of $1,730,000 and this year's takeback of $1,416,000.

Meanwhile:

-- Longtime board member Gloria Brubaker has announced that she has changed her mind and is running for re-election. She was circulating her petition after Wednesday's board workshop, and said that with three positions on the ballot and no other incumbents running, she feels the Board will need her experience. Incumbent Tom Richardson is not seeking re-election, and board Vice President Kevin Field resigned his seat earlier this year.

Other possible candidates -- three people with petitions in hand -- include Jim Somerville, Kristina Hansen and Annette Bascom.

Photos in text:

Top: From left, district Business Manager Gayle Sedlack and board members Tom Richardson and Mike Myers at Wednesday's workshop.

Bottom: Superintendent Tom Phillips looks on as board member Gloria Brubaker makes a point at Wednesday's workshop.

Auxiliary offers health care scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 2 -- The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary is offering scholarships to students who plan to enter the health care field.

$1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school students who are residents of Schuyler County, and to hospital employees wishing to further their education in the health care field.

Applications may be found online at www.schuylerhospital.org, by clicking on the media release at the top right. Applications may also be picked up at high school guidance offices and at the hospital’s Human Resources office – located inside the hospital's new Main Entrance.

Applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2014.

For more information, email info@schuylerhospital.org, or contact Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary member Joan Argetsinger at (607) 535-6622.

Houck named new Dundee superintendent

Special to The Odessa File

DUNDEE, March 28, 2014 -- The Dundee Central School District Board of Education has appointed Kelly Houck as the district's next Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1.

Houck comes to Dundee from Canaseraga Central School, where she has been School Superintendent for the past two years. Before that she was the Bradford High School principal. Over the past 10 years, she has also served in various roles of public education, including: teacher, Director of Special Education, and Director of Transportation.

Houck received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Mansfield University, a Masters of Education in Elementary and Special Education from Mansfield, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport.

“I am truly elated to join the Dundee team,” said Houck. “I believe that Dundee Central School is the best kept secret of the Finger Lakes, and I look forward to using my skills, knowledge and experience in assisting the district in aggressively preparing our students for the 21st Century and beyond."

The hiring process included: the involvement of many student representatives, staff members and community representatives.

"I am grateful for this opportunity," said Houck, "and I am very pleased to be retiring my resume and beginning a longstanding relationship and commitment to Dundee Central School.”

Photo in text: Kelly Houck (Photo provided)

From left: Abbey Willis, Lydia Myers and Paige Hughey.

'No, No, Nanette' ends its run at WGHS

WATKINS GLEN, March 31-- The Watkins Glen High School production of the musical comedy “No, No, Nanette” -- which opened Friday night -- was presented for the third and final time Sunday afternoon before an enthusiastic audience in the WGHS auditorium.

The audience responded at the end of the performance with a standing ovation.

Although not as well known as other musical comedies, “No, No, Nanette” features a number of popular songs, including “Tea for Two,” “Too Many Rings Around Rosie,” “I Want to Be Happy,” and “I’ve Confessed to the Breeze.”

The weekend audiences found “No, No, Nanette!” to be a fun romp through the 1920s – with humor, romance, mistaken identity, spilled secrets and, ultimately, a happy ending.

It also had three skits that were crowd pleasers. One featured the Gill twins, Matt and Samantha, in a comedy about a cheese salesman and a prospective buyer. Another was the classic "Who's on First?" routine made famous by Abbott and Costello, in this case presented by Chase Richtmyer and exchange student Juliette Barbay. And the third was a case of one-upmanship carried to extremes by Mikayla Elliott, Chris Likoudis, Portia Wells and Phebe Wickham.

This was the 10th Watkins Glen High School musical directed by Tim and Michelle Benjamin. Sarah Mathews was Music Director, and Sam Brubaker was Producer. Students Lydia Myers, Portia Wells, Mikayla Elliott, Justine Hulbert, Paige Hughey and Abigail Rundle choreographed the numerous song-and-dance numbers.

Student Kevin Baker was Stage Manager. Student Natasha Patel was in charge of makeup, while the professionals from Shear Designs once again handled the hairstyling. Parents Tammy Cole and Dee Hughey were costumers.

"No, No, Nanette!" Cast List:

Pauline -- Abigail Rundle
Lucille Early -- Caitlin Connelly
Billy Early -- Zack Kelly
Sue Smith -- Brooke Shaffer
Jimmy Smith -- Andrew Likoudis (right)
Tom Trainor -- Dakota Cole
Nanette -- Brooke Grinolds
Flora Latham -- Lydia Myers
Betty Brown -- Abbey Willis
Winnie Winslow -- Paige Hughey

Ensemble:
Dayne Hughey, Chris Likoudis, Chase Richtmyer, Juliette Barbay, Valerie Biviano, Victoria Blanchard, Megan Dupuy, Mikayla Elliott, Keziah Fraboni, Ruthe Gardner, Bridgette Guild, Justine Hulbert, Serafina Lopresti, Becca McIntyre, Taylor McIntyre, Elizabeth Reed, Mikayla Rhoads, Joelle Slater, Portia Wells, Phebe Wickham.

Photos in text:

Top: Caitlin Connelly as Lucille Early belts out a song while (from left) Dayne Hughey, Chase Richtmyer, Chris Likoudis and Dakota Cole accompany her with some dance steps.

Second: Dakota Cole and Brooke Grinolds as sweethearts Tom Trainor and Nanette.

Third: Megan Dupuy, part of the play's ensemble of singers and dancers.

Left: Brooke Shaffer and Andrew Likoudis as Sue and Jimmy Smith. Right: Portia Wells performing ballet during an Act III song.

From left: Ensemble members Bridgette Guild and Justine Hulbert; and Zack Kelly as Billy Early muzzles Dakota Cole's Tom Trainor.

Ruthe Gardner (front) and Juliette Barbay perform with the play's ensemble during a song-and-dance number.

Left: Elizabeth Reed, who doubled as a member of the on-stage ensemble and
as a member of the pit band. Right: Ensemble member Serafina Lopresti.

Left: Brooke Grinolds as Nanette admires an engagement ring given to her by Dakota Cole as Tom Trainor. Right: Abigail Rundle, right, as Pauline laughs at a joke she made about the attributes of Flora Latham, portrayed by Lydia Myers.

Song-and-dance ensemble members Phebe Wickham (left) and Keziah Fraboni.

Left: Pit band member Tom Bloodgood. Right: Billy Early (Zack Kelly) lifts his wife Lucille (Caitlin Connelly) during a musical number.

And on Saturday night:

Caitlin Connelly and Zack Kelly complete a dance routine, backed by a group of singers.

Dakota Cole as Tom Trainor and Brooke Grinolds as Nanette.

From left: Zack Kelly, Lydia Myers, Paige Hughey and Abbey Willis.

From left: Pit Band drummer Andy Stevenson, Brooke Shaffer as Sue Smith, and Andrew Likoudis as Jimmy Smith.

The conclusion of an Act Two musical number.

And on Friday night:

Caitlin Connelly's Lucille Early reacts to an explanation by husband Billy Early,
portrayed by Zack Kelly.

Samantha and Matt Gill perform a skit about a cheese salesman.

From left: Dakota Cole as Tom Trainor, Brooke Shaffer as Sue Smith, and Andrew Likoudis as her husband, Jimmy Smith.

Mikayla Elliott completes a dance move
during one of the play's musical numbers.

From left, Abbey Willis, Lydia Myers and Paige Hughey as three women
who figure prominently in the comedic plot.

From left: Cast members Joelle Slater and Phebe Wickham.

Juliette Barbay and Chase Richtmyer perform the comedy skit "Who's on First?"

Left: Pit Band member Bernie Riley. Right: Music Director Sarah Matthews.

Left: Abigail Rundle as Pauline. Right: Justine Hulbert flies across the stage, doing flips, during a musical number.

At earlier rehearsals:

"No, No, Nanette" cast members (from left) Lydia Myers, Paige Hughey and Abbey Willis.

Brooke Grinolds as Nanette and Dakota Cole as her romantic interest, Tom Trainor.

Left: Caitlin Connelly as Lucille Early. Right: Andrew Likoudis as Jimmy Smith, and Brooke Shaffer as Sue Smith.

WGMS students write, publish cookbook

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 28 -- Eighth-grade home and careers students at Watkins Glen Middle School recently wrote, edited and published a cookbook titled Taste of the Lake. The book contains more than 125 of the students’ favorite recipes, along with student artwork, stories about the origins of the recipes and essays describing family food traditions.

Students currently are selling the cookbooks throughout the community for $6. Proceeds from the sale will be used to cover the cost of a career awareness field trip to Cornell University in April.

The hands-on project offers students a chance to practice several career skills, including desktop publishing, direct sales, meeting deadlines, learning to work with each other productively and important computer skills. Friendly competition between classes helps encourage great salesmanship, another important career skill.

To order a copy of Taste of the Lake, email Barbara Bristow at bbristow@wgcsd.org.

Somerville is on West Point Dean's List

WEST POINT, NY, March 25 -- Cadet Brett Somerville, son of James and Kristine Somerville, has been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall Semester 2013 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. To earn this distinction, a cadet must maintain a 3.0 average in all courses. Cadet Somerville’s major is Engineering Psychology.

Somerville graduated from Watkins Glen High School in 2012 and will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation from West Point.

The U.S. Military Academy is a four-year co-educational federal undergraduate liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City.

Superintendent Tom Phillips explains the 2014-15 layout of the high school. New construction is on the left, including district offices, school library and STEM lab.

'Transition Meeting' leads to school tour

WATKINS GLEN, March 25 -- About two-dozen area residents attended Monday night's "Transition Meeting" at the Watkins Glen High School Auditorium, and were led on a tour of the new construction at the school by Superintendent Tom Phillips.

The "transition" is the ongoing process that will consolidate Middle and High School functions in one building, creating a single campus for all district classes along 12th Street.

Phillips explained the project through a power-point presentation, touching on such subjects as student traffic flow, grade-specific classroom placement, and bus dropoff and pickup plans for the next school year.

Middle School Principal Kai D'Alleva and High School Principal Dave Warren were also on hand to explain some facets of the project, which includes a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lab area, an enlarged cafeteria, a new gym where the old pool was, a new library, and new district offices.

Following the presentation, Phillips led attendees through the new construction, from district offices to library to TV studio to computer rooms to STEM lab and back along an old hallway to the western end of the building. He explained that the entrance there will be reconfigured so that anyone entering will have to go through two buzzer points before gaining admission to the hallways.

"That's not how we thought years ago," he said, "but it's how we think now" -- an allusion to the need for heightened security in an age when school shootings in the United States have occurred with alarming frequency.

Among those on hand for the tour was former high school principal and former School Board president Brian O'Donnell, who said afterward that he could have used "a map. That place is like a maze."

D'Alleva assured the audience that come summer, the district will make an effort to open the school for an hour or so at a time on prescribed days so that "everybody who wants to get in here can get in here as many times as they want, including parents" in an attempt to familiarize people with the building's new configuration and reduce confusion that otherwise might occur when the single-campus concept takes effect with the 2014-15 school year.

Photos in text:

Top: Middle School Principal Kai D'Alleva, left, and High School Principal Dave Warren were on hand to help answer questions. They are spearheading the transition of the Middle and High Schools onto a single campus, to take effect in the next school year.

Middle: An artistic rendition of the new library, as seen from overhead.

Bottom: Attendees listen as Superintendent Tom Phillips explains the construction during the tour.

Arc of Schuyler offers $1,000 scholarship

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 23 -- The Arc of Schuyler is offering a $1,000 scholarship in honor of former board member Joanne S. Hayes. High school seniors at Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Bradford Central Schools or who are Schuyler County residents are eligible to apply for the award.

One scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior continuing his or her education in special education or human services or a related clinical area such as nursing, psychology, speech pathology, or physical/occupational therapy, which will be used in a career providing supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.

The Arc of Schuyler has identified that there are serious workforce issues facing organizations providing supports to people with disabilities. This scholarship program focuses on informing students, parents, schools and the community at large that there are important and rewarding jobs and a variety of career opportunities working with and for people with disabilities.

Joanne S. Hayes was a past board member and president of The Arc of Schuyler, who lived in Odessa before her death in 1987. She was a strong advocate for career and employee training. "This education fund is a fitting tribute to her commitment to The Arc and to our workforce," said Jeannette Frank, executive director of The Arc. The Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship is made possible through local donations.

Eligible applicants must submit the following to their school guidance office or to The Arc of Schuyler’s Human Resources Office at 210 12th Street in Watkins Glen by May 23:
• Completed application
• Legible essay (no more than two double-spaced pages)
• Two letters of reference
• GPA, Class Rank, SAT Scores, Transcript
• Photo of applicant to be used in promotional materials

Applications are available at school guidance offices and at www.arcofschuyler.org. For more information, call 607-535-6934.

From left: Max (Logan Barrett), Capt. von Trapp (Brennan Voorheis) and Elsa (Hailie Searles) sing "No Way to Stop It."

'Sound of Music' ends its run

ODESSA, March 16 -- The Odessa-Montour High School spring musical "The Sound of Music" was presented for the fourth and final time Saturday night before an appreciative audience in the school's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The play was also performed Thursday and Friday nights and then at a matinee Saturday afternoon. The photos with this article are from Saturday night.

The story about the von Trapp Family, its musical abilities, the romance and marriage of the clan's father with the governess Maria, and the escape of the family from Nazi-controlled Austria is well known from the film starring Julie Andrews in the mid-1960s.

The O-M production was directed by Kim Laursen. Emma Raymond and Hayley Guild shared the role of Maria, with each performing it in two of the four performances (Guild Thursday and Saturday nights, and Raymond Friday night and Saturday afternoon).

Captain von Trapp was portrayed by Brennan Voorheis. The Mother Abbess was portrayed by Jenelle Bleiler (Thursday and Saturday nights) and Dana Roberts (Friday night and Saturday afternoon). Logan Barrett had the role of Max Detweiler, while Baroness Elsa Schraeder was portrayed by Hailie Searles.

Choreographers were Holly Faulk, Manley Gavich and Mrs. Laursen. The sound was overseen by Andy Campbell, Cheyenne Barrett and Hayley Burke, and the lighting by Frank Wood, Ryan Lambert, Brandon McCormack, Mrs. Laursen and Sam Norton.

The pit band members included Sharon Anderson (clarinet), Lou Cicconi (bass and guitar), Pam Cicconi (trombone), Bob King (trumpet), Tori Pries (clarinet), Kate Ross (French horn), Andy Stevenson (percussion), and Michelle Voorheis (flute).

Familiar songs included "The Sound of Music," "Maria," "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "So Long, Farewell," and "Climb Every Mountain."

The Sound of Music cast:

Marie Rainer: Hayley Guild (Thurs & Sat evenings), Emma Raymond (Fri eve., Sat matinee)
Sister Berthe, Mistress of Novices: Rosemary Peckham
Sister Margaretta, Mistress of Postulants: Tess Visscher
The Mother Abbess: Jenelle Bleiler (Thurs & Sat eve), Dana Roberts (Fri. eve, Sat. matinee)
Sister Sophia: Sarah Norton
Captain Georg von Trapp: Brennan Voorheis
Franz, the Butler: Joe Raymond
Frau Schmidt, the Housekeeper: Maggie Coates
Liesl von Trapp: Jordan Little
Friedrich von Trapp: Rhys Stermer
Louis von Trapp: Grace Vondracek
Kurt von Trapp: Jared Rumsey
Brigitta von Trapp: Maria Scata
Marta von Trapp: Jocelyn Davis
Gretl von Trapp: Jayla Davis
Rolf Gruber: Manley Gavich
Baroness Elsa Schraeder: Hailie Searles
Ursula, the maid: Olivia Scata
Max Detweiler: Logan Barrett
Herr Zeller: Tyler Goossen
Baron Elberfeld: Dan Rounds
A Postulant: Olivia Scata
Admiral von Schreiber: Joel Kelly
Nuns Chorus, Party Guests Chorus, Finale Chorus

Photos in text:

Top: Maria (Hayley Guild)
Second: From left: Herr Zeller (Frank Wood), Admiral von Schreiber (Charles Sidle), Captain von Trapp (Brennan Voorheis) and Max Detweiler (Logan Barrett) discuss German plans to incorporate the captain into the Navy of the Third Reich.
Third: The Mother Abbess (Jenelle Bleiler) sings "Climb Ev'ry Mountain."
Bottom: The wedding of Maria and the captain.

The Von Trapp Family Singers perform at the Kaltzberg Festival before their escape.

A group of youngsters called the Kinder Saengerbund aus OdessaMonto perform at the festival.

.

Left: Max (blindfolded) plays a game with the children.
Right: Gretl (Jayla Davis) exits the festival.

Left: The captain with the Baroness. Right: A dance at the Von Trapp villa.

During the dance sequence at the villa, some of the participants moved to the "patio,"
an area near the theater seats.

A trio of nuns from the Nonnberg Abbey.

The full Nun Choir performs the finale, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain."

The Family von Trapp makes its escape from Austria, into the fog of night and over the Alps.

And on Friday night:

Left: Rolf (Manley Gavich) pulls away as Liesl von Trapp (Jordan Little) moves toward him. Right: Maria (Emma Raymond) with her guitar.

The wedding of Maria (Emma Raymond) and Captain von Trapp (Brennan Voorheis).

Left: Hailie Searles as Baroness Elsa Schraeder. Right: Maria (Emma Raymond) sneaks out of the von Trapp estate, on her way back to the Abbey.

The von Trapp children gather around Maria (Emma Raymond) as she returns from the Abbey.

Left: Dana Roberts as The Mother Abbess sings "Climb Ev'ry Mountain."
Right: Logan Barrett (left) as Max Detweiler and Brennan Voorheis as Captain von Trapp.

Formal dancing dominated an Act 1 scene.

Maria and the children belt out a song on the stairs of the von Trapp villa.

And on opening night Thursday:

Maria (Hayley Guild) and Capt. von Trapp (Brennan Voorheis) dance in a scene from Act 1.

Manley Gavich as Rolf Gruber and Jordan Little as Liesl von Trapp perform "Sixteen Going on Seventeen."

Left: Hayley Guild (Maria) sings "The Sound of Music" early in the play
Right: Jenelle Bleiler as The Mother Abbess sings "Climb Ev'ry Mountain."

Left: Baroness Elsa Schraeder (Hailie Searles) with Capt. von Trapp (Brennan Voorheis).
Right: Logan Barrett as Max Detweiler.

Hayley Guild, as Maria, is surrounded by the von Trapp children at the end of a song.

From left at the dance: NHS Vice President Megan Daigle, NHS President Samantha Gill, NHS Treasurer Caitlin Connelly, Foreign Exchange Student Juliette Barbay, and NHS Secretary Lindsey Suddaby.

Dance raises nearly $1,000 for charity

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 13, 2014 -- The Watkins Glen High School National Honor Society's annual Charity Ball was held at Lakewood Winery on Friday night, March 7.

"It was a great success!" said NHS President Samantha Gill. "The charity we chose this year is also one we chose last year -- Sharing Sharee's Smile, which donates toys to children in hospitals.

"Ticket sales were slow in the beginning of the week," said Gill, "but rapidly picked up speed. Through both ticket sales and donations, we raised just shy of $1,000. Everyone had an amazing time dancing the night away. I would especially like to thank Lakewood Winery for allowing us to use their facilities, as well as A Walk on the Wild Side for the music."

Left: Enjoying the Charity Ball were Bridgette Guild, left, and Raevyn Saunders. Right: Also on hand were Katherine Meehan, left, and Mikayla Rhoads. (Photos provided)

Houck is a Dundee superintendent finalist

Special to The Odessa File

DUNDEE, March 8, 2014 -- The Dundee Board of Education has identified two finalists for the District’s next top administrator. The person selected will assume office on July 1. The finalists are:

-- Kelly Houck (right), Superintendent of Schools for the Canaseraga Central School District, and before that the Bradford School District's high school principal.

-- Joyce Carr, Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services for the Elmira City School District.

“Our Board has been diligent in narrowing the pool of candidates to these two strong finalists," said Board President James M. Koehler. "We are very excited about what each finalist will bring to the Dundee School District.”

Added Scott Bischoping, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES District Superintendent and Search Consultant: “The Board has been extremely detail-oriented and thoughtful throughout this search process. Their selection of these two experienced educators as finalists is a great example of their hard work.”

The two finalists are scheduled for day-long interviews on Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 20. Throughout this process, finalists will meet with many different stakeholders including students, district administration, teachers, support staff, community members and the Board of Education.

Photo in text: Kelly Houck (File photo)

BOCES board member Learn honored

Special to
The Odessa File

ELMIRA, Feb. 12 -- Alice Learn, a member of the GST BOCES Board of Education, has been recognized by the New York State School Boards Association for her efforts to expand her knowledge and skills in school governance.

Learn was honored at the BOCES board meeting on February 4.

Learn has served on the BOCES board since July 1, 2012. She previously served on the Odessa-Montour Board of Education for 22 years.

She received the Board Achievement Award for her participation in NYSSBA developmental activities including the NYSSBA Annual Convention, legal conferences, regional workshops and district-level improvement programs.

Photo in text: GST BOCES District Superintendent Horst Graefe presents Alice Learn with the Board Achievement Award. (Photo provided)

Phillips PTO talk rescheduled

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 12 -- A talk by Tom Phillips, superintendent of the Watkins Glen Central School District, before the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) originally set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 6.

Phiilips will discuss the budget development process and implementation of the Common Core curriculum. The meeting will be held in the Watkins Glen Elementary School library.

Phillips will also discuss the district's transition to a single campus and lead participants on a tour of the newly renovated areas of the Elementary and High Schools.

The public is invited to attend.

Hanlon to hold spelling bee on Feb. 14

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Feb. 10 -- Twenty-four Hanlon Elementary School students representing grades 3-6 will participate in a school spelling bee on Friday, February 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the school complex's Fetter-Brown auditorium.

Hanlon is participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is locally sponsored by the Corning Rotary Club, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Guthrie Health Care and Kraft Foods.

Every Hanlon student received a study list for his/her grade level along with a study list of words for grades 1-8. During the week of February 3, all students participated in their own classroom spelling bees, in which the students were tested on the words at their own grade level. The top three finishers of the individual classroom spelling bees moved on to compete in the school spelling bee, where students will be tested on the more challenging study list of words for grades 1-8.

The top two winners of the school bee will participate in a regional spelling bee at Campbell- Savona High School on March 6.

The champion of the regional spelling bee will then go on to compete in a national spelling bee in Washington, D.C.

O-M receives UPK grant, will expand

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Jan. 26 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District will expand its Universal
Pre-Kindergarten from a half-day to a full-day program thanks to a grant from the New York State Education Department.

The district was awarded a Priority Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten and Expanded Half-Day Pre-Kindergaten Grant and will receive approximately $185,000 total during the current and next school year.

“As standards are raised, we see the greatest gains in early childhood education,” said Superintendent James Frame. “We’re extremely pleased to be able to provide this opportunity to young children in our community, who we know will see the benefits of this experience from kindergarten through their senior year.”

Funds will allow the full-day UPK program to include time for inquiry-based learning, fine motor skills development and additional math instruction, as well as technology use, physical activity, arts enrichment and a library component.

Money also will be designated to fund 10 additional Odessa-Montour students who attend the Schuyler Head Start program currently. A portion of the grant money will be used to provide joint professional development for O-M and Head Start staff and transportation for Head Start students who live in the district.

“This grant gives us the opportunity to better prepare children for the rigorous academic program they will encounter when they start school,” said B.C. Cate Elementary Principal Veronica Lewis. “These resources will enrich district and Head Start programs, so it will improve our entire school community. We will be able to help more than 30 students, which is approximately half the population of an incoming kindergarten class, build a strong core foundation of skills that will make them better students.”

A meeting for parents of current students was held on January 22. The extended program will begin in February.

Odessa-Montour is one of 27 school districts across the state selected to receive the competitive grant. The grant was written on behalf of the district by GST BOCES Grant Services.

Photo in text: Richard Pike II creates a painting in his UPK classroom. (Photo provided)

Adult Water Aerobics classes offered

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 18 -- You can get fit and have fun, loosen up and laugh.

Odessa-Montour Central School and Watkins Glen Central School will host water aerobics classes this spring. Everyone over 18 is welcome – men and women.

The Odessa-Montour (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) program is accepting registrations for the new sessions: Monday classes will begin February 10 for 8 weeks, and Thursday classes will begin on February 13 for 8 weeks.

Watkins Glen Central School is hosting “Aqua Aerobics” classes. The next session will run Tuesdays from February 25 for 7 weeks. You may also drop in for individual classes for $7 per class payable at the class; seniors receive a 10% discount. All classes need sufficient registered participants to be held.

Organizers ask that you call now to ensure that the classes are scheduled! Register online at www.gstboces.org or call Carol at 607-739-8170 or 7905.

The classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

Former boxer Ray Ciancaglini urges concussion awareness

By Paul Gotham

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 13 -- Ray Ciancaglini spoke to more than 600 students and staff of Watkins Glen Central School District Thursday about the need for concussion awareness.

The former professional boxer conveyed a cautionary tale which all students, athletes and non-athletes need to hear.

A lifetime spent dealing with the consequences of poor choices made during his youth gives Ciancaglini a unique opportunity to help younger generations.

“It‘s good for someone like Ray who was a professional athlete and not a health-care professional to advocate playing sports, but he is advocating doing it safely,” said Jim Somerville, the Watkins Glen Central School District trainer. “I can tell kids until the cows home that this is what we need to do, this how you need to treat this, but they think because I am a trainer I am going to go way over on the other side.”

With the awareness of head injuries on the rise because of the growing concern in the National Football League, Ciancaglini’s message is emphatic: “The game you sit out today could be the career you save tomorrow.”

Somerville took Ciancaglini’s message a step further as he emphasized the need for all students to hear what Ray has to say.

“I wanted to get Ray in front of the student body to raise awareness of the concussion issue from the standpoint that it doesn’t have to be just athletes,” Somerville continued. “It can be kids out doing recreational things like riding the ATV or even playground injuries. I wanted to make sure Ray spoke to the entire school body.”

Once a promising young boxer, Ciancaglini’s life changed when he failed to seek proper medical treatment for a concussion and reentered the ring. Now, he has dedicated his life to mentoring today’s youth who may face a similar decision. More than four decades after his last professional fight, Ciancaglini suffers from Dementia Pugilistica and Parkinson’s Syndrome. He takes medication to cope with its effects.

Initially, Ciancaglini suffered from fatigue as a result of his first concussion. He slept for hours, only to wake and still feel tired. Forty years later, he can only sleep for three hours at a time. Sommerville mentioned the positive discussions he had with students after they heard Ray’s speech.

“I think they came away from the presentation and recognized that they have to be honest and get it (a concussion) treated instead of putting it off,” Somerville said. “He put in their minds that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a sporting event. It can be anything.”

Somerville explained a situation during this school year when two elementary students sustained concussions as the result of a collision on the playground.

“That was just on the playground and with little kids,” Somerville said. “It’s definitely out there.”

As the school district’s trainer, Somerville has had numerous interactions with student-athletes who have possibly suffered a concussion. He now can echo Ray’s words.

“The biggest thing is to be honest,” Sommerville said. “Even though you may have to miss a game or some time, it’s worth it to get better, so you don’t experience the same thing Ray has over the course of his lifetime. That’s my biggest thing. Be honest with me, so we can get you back in there, and you can play normally and safely.”

Ciancaglini’s story has been featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, and the New York State Athletic Trainer’s Association has endorsed him. Ciancaglini, along with New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio, combined their efforts in passing the Concussion Management Awareness Act. The legislation requires coaches, teachers and other school personnel to be trained on the symptoms of mild traumatic brain injuries and the importance of proper medical treatment.

Ciancaglini is the founder of The Second Impact, an organization dedicated to concussion awareness. The foundation has an Internet website (www.thesecondimpact.com) where students and families can read more about Ray’s story.

Ciancaglini and The Second Impact recently organized and presented an Educational Seminar on Concussions at the Belhurst Castle in Geneva, New York. The evening featured presentations by Dr. Jason Feinberg, the Chief Medical Officer of Finger Lakes Health; Dr. Jeff Bazarian of the University of Rochester Medical Center; Jeff Bray of Keuka College's athletic trainers’ department, and Tom Del Papa of Finger Lakes Health.

In past months, Ciancaglini has spoken at Canisius College, Ithaca College and St. Bonaventure University.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen School District Trainer Jim Somerville, left, with former boxer
Ray Ciancaglini. (Photo by Steve Plopper)

Diana Groll directs the High School Band in its performance of "Carol of the Bells."

Glen students shine at Winter Concert

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 10 -- Watkins Glen instrumentalists and vocalists from the 6th through 12th grades put on an entertaining Winter Concert Monday night in the newly renovated high school auditorium.

The concert began with the 6th Grade Band playing "Bugler's Dream" and "The Simple Gifts of Christmas," followed by the Middle School Chorus singing "African Noel," "All on a Silent Night" and "Minka, Minka."

The Middle School Band weighed in with "Celebration Overture," "Jumpin' Jolly Old St. Nick" and "Celtic Bell Carol," and the High School Chorus performed "Bidi Bom," "Amid the Falling Snow," a Nigerian Christmas Song tltled "Betelehemu Olatunji & Whalum" featuring Aidan DeBolt on the conga drum, and "O Holy Night," with solos by Paige Hughey and Alexis Naylor.

The High School Chorus then teamed with the Middle School Chorus to sing "A Candle's Light" before the High School Band took the stage to perform "Carol of the Bells," "Niagara Overture," "Mamma Mia!" and "Encanto."

The combined bands and choruses then led the audience in a closing Christmas Sing-A-Long consisting of a medley of holiday favorites.

The Middle School Band and Choral Director was Sarahjane Harrigan, while Diana Groll directed the 6th Grade and High School bands. Matthew Craig directed the High School Chorus, and Sally Michel served as choral accompanist.

Photos in text:

Top: Two members of the High School Band during performance of "Carol of the Bells."

Bottom: Part of the horn section of the High School Band.

Left: Aidan DeBolt plays the conga drum during a High School Chorus performance of a Nigerian Christmas song. Right: Alexis Naylor, left, and Paige Hughey, who sang solos during the High School Chorus performance of "O Holy Night."

The horn section of the Middle School Band performs during "Celtic Bell Carol."

Members of the High School Chorus sing under the direction of Matthew Craig.

O-M's Smith is Bush Student of Month

Special to The Odessa File

ELMIRA, Nov. 13 -- Tailith Smith, a junior Criminal Justice student from Odessa-Montour High School, and Precious Campbell, a senior Automotive Technology student from Elmira Free Academy, have been selected as the Career and Technical Education Program Students of the Month for October at the GST BOCES Bush Education Center.

“Tailith has demonstrated remarkable leadership,” said Criminal Justice Instructor Tammy Lotocky. “He is a positive role model to peers by going above and beyond what is expected.”

During a physical fitness benchmark test, students ran 1.5 miles, which equalled nine laps on a course. Six squads of students began the course at staggered intervals. According to Lotocky, she noticed that Tailith was on the course among the final runners, although she knew he had completed the distance. When she told him he could stop, his response was “No thanks. We are a team. I am not going to leave the course until everyone is done.” His dedication to his classmates spread to those who had finished, and they rejoined Tailith in running until the last student was done.

Tailith plans to enter the military after high school.

According to Instructor Dan McNaughton, Precious overcame her shyness to work the shop service counter in her class, which involved interacting with all of her classmates. She created a computer generated log of all jobs in the shop and a job board to share information. “Precious took extra steps to help the shop run a lot smoother and more efficiently,” said McNaughton. “She is a quiet and shy student, but she leads by example, which is why her classmates elected her
president of the class club.”

Precious plans to attend college after graduation.

The Student of the Month is selected by a committee of CTE staff based on nominations.

Common Core draws fire, resolve at Board meeting

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 5 -- The implementation of the new Common Core curriculum drew comments from a student, three teachers, several School Board members and the superintendent Monday night at a meeting of the Watkins Glen School Board in the district Middle School.

The general tone was one of frustration with the demands of the program, but a willingness to work together in an attempt to implement it.

Common Core is an initiative which, according to Wikipedia, "seeks to bring diverse state curricula into alignment with each other by following the principles of standards-based education reform." It is supported by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Backers say it will improve the educational standing of the United States in a global marketplace that our students are ill-suited now to enter successfully. It puts an emphasis, they say, on critical-thinking skills and problem solving.

According to a website touting the Common Core State Standards, "45 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the CCSS in English-language arts and mathematics, and one state, Minnesota, adopted only the ELA standards."

Critics have complained that the program expects -- through more rigorous standards -- too much of teachers and students too soon. In the process, students' test scores have nosedived -- putting additional stress in New York on teachers whose performance evaluations are tied to those scores.

Student John Smith, a Watkins Glen High School junior, expressed concern to the Board with the haste with which the program has been introduced, and said the matter deserves debate.

Watkins Glen Faculty Association President Kate Bartholomew read a statement detailing the difficulties in implementing the program, which "has required significant overtime" by teachers. "Their efforts are exemplary, and truly represent a best effort to deliver the Common Core curriculum ... While the faculty will do its best to continue this practice, it needs to be recognized that this level of manpower is excessive and unsustainable."

Teacher Travis Durfee, on leave from the classroom this year, said that "a lot of what is embedded in the Core Curriculum has been practiced at Watkins Glen" for years. He expressed concern that "New York State is rushing forward" with the program, and that "the haste does a disservice to our students."

Teacher Liam O'Kane recommended the board read a book titled "Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools" by Diana Ravitch -- an education historian and former reformer who argues that the reform movement in American schools is "a deliberate effort to replace public education with a privately managed free-market system of schooling." The reformers, she says, "are putting the nation's children on a train that is headed for a cliff."

Board President Mike Myers noted that many of the recommendations in the book "are already being worked on." Board member Tom Richardson added that in any event, "the (Common Core) train has left the station. It's the law. I don't think it's a good idea" to try and delay it.

Superintendent Tom Phillips reported on a meeting of the New York State School Boards Association that he attended with Board members Kristin Hazlitt and Kelly McCarthy, a session where an address by State Education Commissioner John King "was enlightening in that he appeared to understand the problems with implementation" of the Common Core initiative.

"But (King) was relentless," Phillips added, "in the need to increase expectations in our kids, our teachers and our communities." The Commissioner made it clear, he said, that "we need to increase the rigors and expectations for students entering a world vastly different from the one we have experienced."

The Association meeting, Hazlitt said, yielded ideas on how to help teachers cope with the implementation without having to put in the vast amounts of overtime cited by Bartholomew. That could include providing substitute teachers to free teachers up for planning their classes effectively, and surveying teachers to find out what they need.

"We need to know what to do" to help, added McCarthy. "We're definitely listening, and want to help."

Added Phillips: "Hats off to the teachers for what you've been through. You prepared for changes, only to find they weren't what you expected." Test scores, he noted, had dropped 30% across the state with the increased rigor of tests from one year to the next.

"We're stubbing our toes and knees all over the place," he said. "But we'll continue to work and evaluate and see what we have to do to change. The train has indeed left the station, and it's not going back."

Photos in text:

Top: School Board President Mike Myers, left, and Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Second: Student John Smith.

Third: Teacher Liam O'Kane.

Bottom: Watkins Glen Faculty Association President Kate Bartholomew.

For the district summary of the meeting, click here.

McIntyre awarded $68,000 scholarship

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 30 -- Taylor McIntyre, a GST BOCES Criminal Justice student and senior at Watkins Glen High School, is the September recipient of Keuka College’s George H. Ball Community Achievement Award.

McIntyre will receive a $68,000 scholarship ($17,000 annually) in recognition of her strong academic and community service record. The award honors Rev. Dr. George Harvey Ball, founder and first president of Keuka College. It is the college’s highest and most prestigious award.

McIntyre was nominated for the award by GST BOCES Criminal Justice Instructor Tammy Lotocky. “Taylor has helped her community and made a difference to the people around her,” said Lotocky. “This consistent willingness to go above and beyond best describes her.”

McIntryre’s long list of community service includes involvement in:

--Walk a Mile in My Shoes, a local suicide prevention walk.
--Interact Club, which raises funds for many worthy causes, including AIDS relief and to send bicycles to Africa.
--Seneca Santa, a program that distributes gifts to less-fortunate families during the holiday season.
--Diversity Club, which raises awareness about equality and acceptance, as well as funds for AIDS Awareness Month.
--Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), which hosted a Halloween party for K-5th graders to promote safe and healthy spirits for the holiday.
--Relay for Life, a walk to benefit the American Cancer Society.
--Art Club, which works to raise awareness of and promote arts in the community.

McIntyre will major in criminology and criminal justice at Keuka and has prepped for her college career in the Criminal Justice program at GST BOCES.

She was selected to serve on the Bush Campus CSI Team, a three-person group that competes in forensic science knowledge and skills at the regional and state level. In addition, she was selected by her peers and instructors to serve an eight-week stint as class lieutenant – the highest rank – and was responsible for peer academic support and classroom discipline.

Photo in text: Taylor McIntyre. (Photo provided)

Students get taste of Vietnamese culture

Special to
The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 30 -- Vietnam native Alex-Thai Vo recently visited Watkins Glen Middle School to discuss Vietnamese food and culture with eighth-grade students. Vo is currently pursuing his PhD in History at Cornell University.

Eighth-grade students recently read the verse novel Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. The book tells the story of a Vietnamese girl and her family who are forced to move to the U.S. because the Vietnam War has reached their home. After living as refugees, the family finally settles in Alabama.

During his visit, Vo helped students prepare “roll salad” or spring rolls, a traditional Vietnamese dish, and served them with a variety of sauces. He also discussed some of the cultural differences between Vietnam and the United States.

Vo has lived in the United States since he was eight years old and currently resides in Ithaca.

Photo in text: Vo serves peanut sauce to eighth-grader Christine Hunsinger during his recent visit to the Watkins Glen Middle School. (Photo provided)

Arc receives Vocational Training grant

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 14 -- The Arc of Schuyler has been awarded a $7,500 grant by SourceAmerica, formerly NISH (National Industries for the Severely Handicapped), to support productive work training for people with developmental disabilities.

The Arc provides vocational training and industrial services through Glen Industries. Among other business services, Glen Industries specializes in serving the co-packing needs of start-up and small production companies. Vocational trainees manufacture and package diverse products including sauces, dressings, salsas, and dry items for more than 15 customers from all over the country.

The grant awarded by SourceAmerica will be used to purchase equipment that will automate and enhance food co-packing processes – improving the quality of finished products for customers and allowing for expanded job opportunities for people with disabilities.

“At Glen Industries, we are always looking at ways we can improve production goals and quality, eliminate waste, and reduce costs,” said Brian Bockelkamp, Director of Glen Industries. “This grant will create a more efficient production line in our kitchen, which will have a significant impact on workers with disabilities.”

Glen Industries’ primary purpose is to assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to find meaningful employment. Through food co-packing vocational training, people receiving vocational supports are trained in a state-of-the-art kitchen, certified through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. There they learn kitchen sanitation, organization, recipe comprehension, and food preparation.

“This is a critically important grant for The Arc at this time,” said Executive Director Jeannette Frank. “Both the federal government and New York State are drafting plans for restructuring work centers and increasing the number of people with disabilities in competitive employment. This funding helps us prepare for those changes.”

Photo Caption: Chef William Cornelius of Chef William Creations, a Glen Industries food co-packing customer, prepares a batch of specialty sauce with employee Christy Pandozzi. (Photo provided)

Glen district receives Phys. Ed. grant

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 30 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District recently learned it is the recipient of a three-year federal Carol M. White physical education grant. The grant will be used to implement PIVOT (Physical Activity Is Vital to Our Tomorrow). The three-year total for the grant will exceed $1 million.

PIVOT has three main goals:

• Increase student’s physical activity and fitness through afterschool and summer activities, as well as focus on lifetime sport opportunities such as kayaking, cross country skiing and water sports in physical education class. In addition, students will develop individual wellness plans.

• Collaborate with agencies to develop a community-wide approach to health and wellness. The district plans to partner with Catholic Charities to develop community gardens, with the Village of Watkins Glen to renew the summer recreation program and with Schuyler County Mental Health to provide proactive treatment.

• Increase understanding of the importance of physical activity and nutrition for overall health. Physical education and health classes will focus on healthy eating habits and nutrition, as well as positive behaviors and decision-making skills. The district also will evaluate food choices in its school lunch program, as well as in vending machines and at school events.

Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and cover personnel and contractual costs. According to Superintendent Tom Phillips, implementation of the program will begin immediately.

Coach Nils Watson, center, was at the Board meeting along with lacrosse parents and players.

Grant could lead to WG varsity lacrosse

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 17 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night approved a resolution empowering Superintendent Tom Phillips to accept a U.S. Lacrosse First Stick Program grant that could lead to establishment of a varsity lacrosse program at the school.

That could come "in the next budget cycle," said Phillips, who explained that the grant is in the form of equipment and uniforms, covers two years, and is for a varsity program that, as of now, doesn't exist.

But the basis for a varsity program is in place with the establishment last school year of a Modified Lacrosse program that was an outgrowth of a club established under the guidance of Kelly McCarthy, who is a member of the School Board. The Modified program was for student-athletes in 7th through 9th grades, and was funded by parents and contributors.

"But we had interest on the high school level, too," says Phillips, explaining that "another 16" students in high school expressed a desire last year to play the sport, and were frustrated that it didn't exist on a varsity level in which they could compete. The Modified coach was and is Nils Watson, a teacher in the Watkins Glen High School.

The grant, Phillips said, "would support the establishment of a varsity program. So we have to look at installing it" as a varsity-level enterprise "in the next budget cycle." That would allow participation by the high school students, as well as by last year's 9th-grade Modified participants who are now at the age of varsity competition.

The School Board meeting was attended by a number of lacrosse players and their parents, along with Watson, as the Board gave Phillips clearance to accept the grant, which he said is expected soon, its major proviso being that the coach attend a mandated "positive impact" training program at what Phillips called "a minimal cost" to the district.

The grant would take the form in the first year of full equipment for two-dozen lacrosse players along with "full goalie equipment. But we're waiting on details," said Phillips. The second year "might include uniforms or practice equipment," he added.

Phillips cautioned that nothing is set in stone yet -- that "there's a lot of work to be done" in determining financing. The Modified program still has money in its coffers, he said, which might mean it remains self-funded. Or perhaps some of that money could be used to help finance the varsity sport. Beyond that, there was $50,000 provided through State Senator Tom O'Mara's office whose use still has not been determined.

Also to be determined is whether Watson would continue as Modified coach, be the Varsity coach, or perhaps handle both jobs.

"We have to sit down and figure out all of this," said Phillips. "So in a way, while the grant is a blessing, it also means a lot of work. But so what? It's for the kids."

The Modified program was deemed a success in its inaugural season last spring, based on the interest level of the students and the fact that the McCarthy-led effort raised substantial funding for the enterprise. "They raised more than $10,000," said Phillips, "which I'm sure is what caught the eye of the U.S. organization.

"I applaud Kelly for all the work she has done," he added. "She and her group have been proactive, and that's been recognized on a national level."

Now, he said, "we have to funnel money where the most interest is." He pointed to a dropoff last year in student interest in tennis, which led to termination of that sport. The addition of lacrosse would not impact funding for other sports, he said. Continued funding for those competitions would be driven by student interest.

"From the ground up, this has been a grass-roots movement," Phillips said of the growth of lacrosse in the Watkins Glen district. "The kids want this sport. It was started by the community and supported by the kids. We need to listen to the community, and listen to the kids."

Photos in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips and School Board member Kelly McCarthy at Monday's meeting.

O-M welcomes new staff members

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Sept. 13 -- The Odessa-Montour Central School District welcomed several new staff members this school year. They include:

--Theresa Cain, Hanlon Elementary Special Education
Cain studied at Corning Community College, Keuka College and Elmira College. She previously
worked in the Campbell-Savona and Horseheads districts.
--Bridgette Duncan, 7th and 8th grade Special Education
Duncan studied at SUNY Cortland and previously taught in Sidney, NY.
--Kayla Dykshoorn, District Librarian
Dykshoorn is a graduate of Odessa-Montour and attended SUNY Cortland and Mansfield University. She previously served as a substitute and afterschool program assistant at O-M.
--Holly McNelis, School Counselor
McNelis studied at Elmira College and Canisus College. She was a youth counselor/adult counselor at GST BOCES before coming to O-M.
--Joelle Mondorf, School Psychologist
Mondorf studied at LeMoyne College and Alfred University. She was formerly a school psychologist in Rhode Island.
--Gwen Pfleegor, UPK
Pfleegor studied at SUNY Geneseo, Elmira College and SUNY Cortland. She taught for 34 years in the Elmira City School District and worked as a graduate reading instructor at Elmira College for 13 years. After retiring, she realized she missed teaching and decided to return to the classroom.
--Laurel Strobel, Living Environment
Strobel is a 1994 graduate of Odessa-Montour and studied at Cornell University and SUNY Oswego. She taught at Edison for 11 years before returning to her alma mater.
--Kevin Tarbert, Earth Science
Tarbert studied at Millersville University and Washington State University. He previously taught in Florida.

Changes ahead for Equivalency program

Special to The Odessa File

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Sept. 13 -- On January 1, 2014, a new test series called TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) will replace the existing GED® exam.

Current testing and passing requirements will continue until the new test is available. When the new test is released, scores from the current test cannot be combined with new test scores. Scores will expire for those who have not completed or passed all portions of the current exam.

The new test series (TASC) will measure common core standards in math, reading, social studies, science and writing. After successfully completing the new assessment, an individual will earn a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma.

Preparation programs are funded by NYS Adult Education Department grants and are available for adults 18 or older who are out of school and committed to increasing their literacy and career readiness skills.

For more information or to register, call 739-7684.

Bradford district aligns with Sheriff's Office for enhanced presence in school

Superintendents, at forum, weigh in on State of Education

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 15 -- The State of Education and its future were the general topics of discussion Wednesday at a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum with Schuyler County's three school superintendents.

The event, at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, featured Bradford Superintendent Wendy Field, Odessa-Montour Superintendent Jim Frame, and Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips. The moderator was Rebekah LaMoreaux, president of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce. More than 30 people attended.

While discussion ranged from Common Core Standards to Curriculum Development to transportation and the Watkins district's transition to a single campus, the most specific and immediate news came from Field.

She said her district is aligning with the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department for an enhanced presence of deputies in the school. She said a room recently used for storage will be made available to any deputy patrolling the area. From there -- in what Field called a "satellite office" -- the deputy will be able to transmit reports and undertake any other procedures that might otherwise require a return to Watkins Glen, thus saving on gas and time.

During stops at the school, Field said, the deputy can approach the work area by traversing the hallways, adding an element of police presence without the cost of employing a School Resource Officer. The district wanted an SRO and had placed it in its last preliminary budget, but had to eliminate it, she said.

The agreement with the Sheriff's Office is expected to be completed soon, Field noted. "Then we'll see. I'm excited to see how it works out. It will provide us with the eyes and ears of law enforcement on our campus on a regular basis."

Other topics discussed included:

Enrollment. Watkins Glen is at 1,153 students, down from 1,700 in 1980. "It's incumbent on us to look at who we are and what we do," said Phillips, and accordingly adopted appropriate efficiencies. Bradford's enrollment rises and falls, and is currently around 300. Odessa is up "20 to 25 students this year," said Frame, bringing the total above 800.

Sharing. The most visible recent example is the conjoining of the O-M and Watkins transportation systems under the auspices of the Watkins district. Field also mentioned sharing curriculum development with the Campbell-Savona district, and sharing sports teams in baseball and modified soccer with the Dundee district.

The Changing World Scene: With the advent of the Internet, the needs of a global workforce have changed, and the old ways of educating are being left behind. The future, said Phillips, will be "much different" in terms of "what you and I believed was a quality educational experience."

Photos in text:

From top: Superintendents (from left) Jim Frame, Wendy Field and Tom Phillips; Chamber President Rebekah LaMoreaux; and Frame listens to a question from the audience.

Bond named to Dean's List at Rochester

Special to The Odessa File

ROCHESTER, Aug. 12 -- Sarah Elizabeth Bond, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry at the University of Rochester, has been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the spring 2013 semester.

Bond, a resident of Watkins Glen, N.Y., is the daughter of Christopher Bond and Michelle Bond, and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School.

The University of Rochester, founded in 1850, is a private research university located in Rochester, N.Y. (pop. 212,000) on the south shore of Lake Ontario.

Supers to discuss State of Education

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, July 29 -- The Government Affairs Committee of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce will host the three Schuyler County School Superintendents for an informational session on the current state of education in the county on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

Bradford Schools Superintendent Wendy Field, Odessa-Montour Superintendent Jim Frame and Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips will discuss the current state and the future state of education and how the community can support the school districts.

The session will run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no fee, although an RSVP is required.

Said Field: “The district is proactive in seeking creative ways to efficiently provide to our students a high quality education that corresponds with college and career expectations for excellence. I look forward to discussing these issues with the Chamber membership."

Added Frame: “As we look forward to the new school year, we are pleased to update our
community on our high quality academic program for our students. We look forward to showcasing new initiatives for the 2013-2014 school year.”

Register no later than August 12 through the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce at (607) 535-4300 or email Katie@watkinsglenchamber.com.

M.A.S.H. Camp focus: medical careers

Special to
The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, July 27 -- Eight students going into 8th and 9th grades recently spent two days at Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls, gaining hands-on experience in a variety of potential healthcare careers.

Schuyler Hospital co-sponsored the Medical Academy of Science and Health (M.A.S.H.) Camp on July 23-24 with the Central New York Area Health Education Center (CNYAHEC) and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

The students learned CPR, injected saline water into an orange, viewed their own hand germs in the lab, tested their lung capacity, exercised with Seneca View residents, sutured a stuffed animal, and gave each other wrist casts. They also toured Schuyler Ambulance.

The campers were visited by New York State Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, who awarded special certificates. Certificates were also presented by Alison Hunt, representing U.S. Congressman Tom Reed.

The students expressed interest in various areas of healthcare, from pharmacy, to midwifery, to EMT and more.

M.A.S.H. Camp at Schuyler Hospital takes place annually each July, and is coordinated by CNYAHEC.

For more information contact Schuyler Hospital at (607) 210-1950 or go to www.schuylerhospital.org

Photos in text:

Top: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano wished the Schuyler Hospital M.A.S.H. Campers well on their first day.From left: Deanna Darling from CNYAHEC, Deanna Cofone, Tyler Morehouse, Michelle Benjamin from Schuyler Hospital, Joseph Hinterberger, Elizabeth Dillon, Assemblyman Palmesano, Cristian Lau, Trevor Thurston, Anastasia Couch and Hanley Elliott.

Bottom: Schuyler Hospital M.A.S.H. Campers show off the colorful casts they gave each other. From left: Hanley Elliott, Trevor Thurston, Christian Lau, Joseph Hinterberger, Elizabeth Dillon, Tyler Morehouse, Deanna Cofone and Anastasia Couch. (Photos provided)

Watkins, O-M share transportation services

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, July 27, 2013 -- Beginning in September, the Watkins Glen Central School District will provide transportation services for Odessa-Montour Central School District students. As a result of the change, Odessa-Montour anticipates cost savings of about $100,000 for the 2013-14 school year.

Previously, the Odessa-Montour school district had contracted with private transportation companies for these services. Several months ago, the district began looking at more cost-effective ways to provide the same level of service and approached the Watkins Glen Central School District.

According to Jim Frame, O-M superintendent, the agreement with the Watkins Glen District provided the cost savings he was looking for, along with continuity.

“No one lost a job with this transition,” he said. “Our bus drivers, mechanics and our transportation supervisors will be employed through the Watkins Glen District. We can provide the same service to our students and still reduce our costs.”

Tom Phillips, Watkins Glen superintendent, said his district benefits from the agreement as well.

“We can combine travel for sports teams when it’s feasible, using one bus instead of two. We can send one bus to BOCES every day for both districts. As part of the agreement, we’re sharing the administrative costs for the program. We can draw from the same pool of substitute drivers,” he said. “It’s just a much more efficient way to do business.”

Administration add-on brings debate

WATKINS GLEN, June 30, 2013 -- And the debate continues.

The Watkins Glen School Board's approval of an extra administrative post to help in the final year of transition to a single campus has drawn some fire -- earlier by a columnist and by the Watkins Glen Faculty Association, and now in a couple of letters to The Odessa File and in an artistic entry by longtime cartoonist Ron Havens of Catharine Corners.

The extra administrator was first mentioned in an article -- found lower on this page -- pertaining to a School Board meeting. Then came a column by A. Moralis, a pseudonymous writer who has contributed many essays to this website. That can be found here.

Next came opposition in a letter from the Faculty Association to Superintendent Tom Phillips and the School Board (here), and in return came a letter from Phillips to the Faculty Association. Originally sent to the Association leadership with copies emailed to Association members, it was soon made public by outgoing School Board President Brian O'Donnell. (That can be found here.)

Now come two letters -- one from a Watkins Glen writer who identifies himself as Frank Serpico, and one from a Tyrone writer, Alan Hurley.

The first writer, Mr. Serpico, said the title of the A. Moralis column, Game of Thrones, "seems apropos for what is going on in the Watkins Glen school district board room these days." He objects to the hiring of an extra administrator for the coming school year, asking "how, exactly, will this help educate our children? Are there really that many more duties to be assigned when we have fewer kids, faculty and support staff? Why didn't they just give these extra duties to the current faculty manager, as I understand he already has an administrative certification?"

The second writer, Mr. Hurley, observes that "it seems as if there has always been a 'distance' between the Administration of Watkins Glen Central School and some Faculty Association representatives. The continued 'refuting' and disagreeing from both sides on which programs to cut and how to do it leaves (everybody) wondering where the gridlock will lead us."

He added that now that the district is in the midst of a $24 million consolidation plan -- which he said includes "more rooms and more Administrative offices we probably don't need" -- "I question the leadership and common sense of both sides (administration and faculty) as it seems Watkins Glen is victimized by a political and monetary fight all at the expense of the taxpayer."

He adds: "Why the redundancy by creating yet another payroll addition" in the form of an extra administrator?

And to top it off came the cartoon commentary from Havens, who has contributed dozens of collections of his often barbed efforts to this website for years.

Retirement Party

Current teachers, former teachers and former students from Watkins Glen High School pose during a party June 14, 2013 at Lakewood Vineyards honoring the retirement of WGHS teacher Craig Cheplick (left) and guidance counselor Nancy Loughlin (seated to the right of the center post).

One of the many tables filled Saturday by WGHS alumni and their families.

Ellison, Van Wagner honored at banquet

WATKINS GLEN, June 23, 2013 -- Two Watkins Glen High School alumni -- the late Judge William N. Ellison and Marcia Miller Van Wagner, a retired U.S. Army Nurse Corps colonel -- were recipients Saturday of Watkins Glen Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards at the 88th annual Alumni Banquet held at the Community Center.

Also honored were three graduating WGHS seniors, each of whom received scholarships from the Association. They are Sarah LaMascus, who received $2,500; Katrina Swarthout, $1,500; and Abigail Cocca, $1,000.

The dinner tables were filled with alumni and family members for a dinner hosted by Bleachers Sports Bar and Grill and for a celebration of the classes present (including several members from the class of 1938) and of the honorees.

Judge Ellison, a 1946 graduate of WGHS, was a Schuyler County and State Supreme Court judge who was active in many civic organizations -- among them 45 years of service to the Northrup Education Foundation, which raises money for interest-free college loans for area students. He was also instrumental in championing educational services for special-needs children long before the services of today existed.

Among many other organizations, he served on the Schuyler Hospital Board of Directors in a period that saw construction of the much-needed Long Term Care facility, and on the Corning Community College Board of Trustees, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation, the Southern Tier Heart Association, the Watkins Glen Volunteer Fire Department, and the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club. Following his death, the Schuyler County Courthouse was renamed in his honor.

Present for Saturday's ceremony were his widow, Patricia, and son Harry.

The other honoree, Marcia Miller Van Wagner, was a 1960 WGHS graduate who was, early in her career, a staff nurse in several local-area hospitals as well as at the Schuyler County Public Health Department -- where she was awarded the American Red Cross Nursing Badge for her service during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. She was commissioned a captain in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1974, and served as a member of the team that developed the U.S. Army's first treatment model for parental child abuse in a military setting. She then went on to represent the United States in Geneva, Switzerland to present this model to the World Health Organization Convention on Child Abuse and Neglect.

In 1982, she returned to a civilian career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, while remaining in the Army Reserves -- where she rose to the rank of colonel. In 1990 she volunteered for active duty for Operation Desert Storm and was put in charge of the Army’s 1,000-bed hospital in Saudi Arabia. Before retiring a second time from the Army, she developed and implemented the current training program designed to ensure the mobilization readiness of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.

The banquet's welcome was presented by Peggy Doolittle Scott, a 1970 WGHS graduate who serves as president of the Alumni Association board of directors. Other members of the board include Jo Pat Paradiso Wright, vice president; Donna Ney Lodge, secretary; Phyllis Hollenbeck Teeter, treasurer; and Robert Lee, Dennis Morris, Patti Schimizzi, Elvin West, Joe Orbin, Nan Woodworth-Shaw, Mary Pinto, Alyce Richardson Stratton, Sandra Arcangeli Spaulding, William Paradiso, and Sharon Edsall Stadelmaier.

Photos in text:

Top: Patrica Ellison, right, widow of honoree William N. Ellison, alongside 1946 WGHS classmate Anne Meehan.

Second: Alumni Association scholarship winners (from left) Katrina Swarthout, Abigail Cocca and Sarah LaMascus.

Third: Distinguished Alumni honoree Marcia Miller Van Wagner with her award, including a high school yearbook picture of her.

Bottom: Alumni Association President Peggy Scott welcomes the alumni to the banquet.

School Board OKs new administrator, listens to plea on After-School Program

WATKINS GLEN, June 18, 2013 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night approved the creation of a new administrative position designed, Superintendent Tom Phillips said, to help in the transition of the district to a single campus.

Phillips, when asked after the meeting for specifics of the plan, said he would be unveiling them on Wednesday, after he had a chance to address the district teaching staff on the matter. The staff has dwindled in numbers in recent years due to budget cuts.

The transition to a single campus has one more year remaining, during which the Middle School will be used for grades 7 and 8. After that, it will be closed. Kristine Somerville has been serving as its principal.

The administrator move came after the board had heard Erica Murray, director of the 21st Century After-School Program in the district, propose a spending plan to keep the program running in the wake of its failure to secure a second five-year grant from the federal government.

The program, which in the past year had an average daily attendance of 80 students in grades 5-8 and a total enrollment of 110 students, will end if it doesn't secure financing of some sort. In its five years, it has served 416 students, 88% of whom have shown improved classroom behaviors (in the areas of homework completion, attendance, social interaction, and academic performance), according to Murray.

She proposed a first-year budget of $58,900 "to sustain the program" -- a barebones spending plan that would eliminate transportation for the kids and hold the enrollment at 55 students. The cost, while optimally covered by the district, might be attained through other creative means, she indicated.

"I know these are tough times," she said, adding that if a financial commitment by the district "is not an option," another option would be to charge parents of participating students $25 a week. If 55 sets of parents were willing to pay that amount, that income would cover the program's barebones cost, with the exception of a $4,000 district contribution for teacher salaries. Field trips, important to the program but eliminated in the budget proposal, could be reinstated through "one big fundraiser per year."

"I don't want you to think I'm up here asking to save my job," Murray said, pointing instead to the many benefits of the program and the hole it would leave in the lives of students should it be terminated.

In response, Board President Brian O'Donnell -- in his final meeting -- termed Murray's report "outstanding" and said she had "given us a lot of food for thought. But we're not prepared to give you an answer tonight. We can't promise you anything tonight."

Superintendent Phillips, meanwhile, said that he would be consulting with Odessa-Montour Superintendent Jim Frame and Catholic Charities in an attempt to devise "a cooperative venture" that would "reallocate resources" and lead to a "community-based" after-school program that would give "the biggest bang for our buck."

He also pointed to the school's Modified Lacrosse team -- some of whose members were on hand to present to the Board, in thanks, a framed team photo with signatures of each player on the roster. The Board had approved the lacrosse program this year without using any school funds. It was, Phillips said rather pointedly, financed through community contributions and fund-raisers.

Meanwhile:

--The meeting marked the last official one for O'Donnell and Board member Joe Fazzary, neither of whom had sought re-election. O'Donnell said he would miss the Board, and that accordingly his departure was "bittersweet." He said it had been a "privilege" working with Phillips, who he called "a superintendent with vision and energy." Fazzary gave no farewell remarks. They are being replaced next month by Kristin Hazlitt and Mark Franzese.

--Phillips updated the Board on ongoing plans to take control of the Odessa-Montour transportation drivers and fleet. He said he had had "a fruitful meeting" with O-M Superintendent Frame and business manager Scott Arnold to discuss O-M contracting with Watkins in a pact whereby Watkins would take over the transportation system, with chargebacks to the Odessa district. "We're trying for a more effective use of resources," Phillips said. "It cannot be business as usual." He said an agreement "will not happen overnight, but quickly. There will at least be a pilot" program.

--The Board approved a handful of new Fall and Winter coaching appointments. Most appointments had been approved previously. The new ones:

--Phil Watson will be the boys varsity soccer coach.
--Ashley Cross will be the new varsity volleyball coach. Katey Cheplick will be the JV coach.
--Scott Morse will be the new JV girls basketball coach.

--The Board approved the resignation into retirement of Nancy Loughlin, who has served for more than 40 years as a French teacher, English teacher, Guidance Counselor and track coach. "She has had a colorful and varied career," said O'Donnell, "and we thank her for her service."

--Phillips distributed certificates to graduates of the GST BOCES Career and Technical Education Program, and to golfers who competed in New York State High School tournaments: Keith Rekczis, Sarah Wickham and Halle Phillips.

Photos in text:

Top: Outgoing Board members Brian O'Donnell, left, and Joe Fazzary, right, pose with Superintendent Tom Phillips after Monday night's meeting.

Second: Erica Murray, director of the After-School Program, listens to the School Board.

Third: The team photo presented to the School Board by members of the school's Modified Lacrosse program.

Bottom: Golfer Sarah Wickham receives a certificate and congratulations from Superintendent Tom Phillips for her participation the New York State Girls High School Golf Tournament.

Bids are next as Glen district
gets go-ahead on construction

WATKINS GLEN, May 8, 2013 -- The Watkins Glen School District has received approval to move forward on the construction phase of its plan to consolidate into a single campus.

Superintendent Tom Phillips, under the agenda heading "Update on State Education Department Project Approval," told the School Board Tuesday night that he was "pleased to announce we have our building permits" and can thus "move forward with the consolidation project."

Bids will be open on May 14 at 2 p.m. in the district bus garage, with acceptance at the May 20 Board meeting. "We continue to get requests for tours" of the Middle School, he said, "by people interested" in purchasing it. The school is being closed as part of the consolidation project.

"Some are local, some regional and some completely out of the area," he said of the potential buyers, adding that he doesn't think the building will stand vacant for long.

As the construction bid opening nears, he said, "contractors from all over the state" have been inquiring about the campus consolidation, which includes the addition of some classrooms and renovation of such things as the cafeteria and the library. The latter, Phillips said, will be "vacated next year," its operations "set up in temporary space" before it reopens in March.

The entire campus project is scheduled for completion "a year from September," Phillips noted.

The Board also:

--Held a public hearing on the budget, with Phillips and District Business Manager Gayle Sedlack explaining the spending plan to a handful of district residents present. A vote on the budget -- which calls for a 4.82% tax-levy hike -- is set for May 21, along with the election of two new School Board members to replace the retiring Brian O'Donnell and Joe Fazzary. Five candidates submitted petitions: Kristin Hazlitt, Barbara Schimizzi, Heidi Pike, Mark Franzese and Tom Lewis.

--Heard Phillips announce a settlement between Inergy and the Town of Reading over the company's assessment, an issue that affects school district coffers. He said Inergy, which had sought a reduction of about 50%, to roughly $14 million, has agreed to a step reduction from $29 million to $26 million this year "with no refund of taxes," and then in succeeding years to $24 million and $22 million. A refund would have amounted to $100,000 of school district money, he said, adding that when he heard the details of the settlement, "I breathed a pretty big sigh of relief."

--Approved coaching appointments for next year. They include, in the fall, the return of Lou Condon Jr. as football coach, with Mike Stephens assisting; and the return of Kelsey Wood as girls swim coach and John Fazzary as cross country coach. In the winter, appointments include Fazzary as boys basketball coach again, and Alicia Learn, the JV coach last year, as the new head coach of the girls basketball team. Jen Conklin will be back as the boys swim coach. And in the spring, Ben Connelly is set for another season as baseball coach, with Jim Scott again coaching softball and Rob Michel coaching golf, assisted by Diane Wood.

Photo in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips and Business Manager Gayle Sedlack at the budget hearing Tuesday night.

Frame report leans against closing of B.C. Cate school

ODESSA, March 15, 2013 -- The Odessa-Montour School Board Thursday night received a report from Superintendent Jim Frame on the possibility of closing the B.C. Cate Elementary School in Montour Falls -- a move he indicated he opposes based on initial study results that show a relatively small cost savings.

The response of two board members -- normal Frame backers Chris Scata and Damita Chamberlain -- indicated support for his position.

Frame said he looked at the use of district facilities with an eye toward projected enrollment and -- if the closing of B.C. Cate were effected -- with an eye toward transportation, food service, janitorial services, classroom space and office space. He presented a power-point outline of his findings, which he said preliminarily indicate a savings of less than $50,000 -- not enough to warrant the disruption of existing services and the potentially crowded condition of a single Odessa-based campus.

"We'd be packed to the gills," he said.

"What if enrollment went up?" Chamberlain asked rhetorically, referring to any post-consolidation spike in student population -- although Frame's report had indicated a slight enrollment decline in coming years.

Added Scata: "Could you pin down that (savings) figure? For $40,000, just a quarter of one percent in taxes, it's not worth it to me."

"I agree with you," said Frame, adding that he would come up with a final savings figure. At the request of board member Bill Schwenk, he also agreed to provide room maps showing what a reconfigured single-campus school would look like.

(For a look at Frame's report as photographed during the meeting, click here.)

In other business:

--Frame said he expects, but can't promise, the restoration of some education funds in the final state budget being hammered out in Albany. He said both the Senate and Assembly plans have called for restoration of some of the money eliminated in Governor Cuomo's executive proposal -- $415 million in the Senate version and $334 million in the Assembly version.

--Frame said the district is "continuing talks with Watkins Glen on where to go after the forum" -- a reference to a joint OM-Watkins gathering on Feb. 26 in the WGHS auditorium that drew good reviews and left both districts' superintendents seemingly pleased. He said he will be meeting next week with Watkins Superintendent Tom Phillips "about the next (forum) session" and "where to go" regarding the practice of shared services.

Frame also said that he had "talked to them" (Watkins officials) about submitting an application for a grant that would finance a study of shared services and consolidation possibilities, "but we thought it was too soon." The application deadline came and went Wednesday. When asked by board member Scott Westervelt whether the grant was on an annual cycle -- and therefore not available now for another year -- Frame said that is "up in the air."

Photo in text: O-M Superintendent Jim Frame and School Board President Debra Harrington at Thursday night's meeting.

O'Donnell won't seek re-election to Board

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 31, 2012 -- Watkins Glen School Board President Brian J. O'Donnell will not seek re-election to the Board this coming spring.

O'Donnell, a retired Watkins Glen High School principal who started in the district as a 4th Grade teacher in 1969 and is completing his third term on the School Board -- including four years as Board President -- says he has informed Superintendent Tom Phillips and the other Board members of his decision.

"It is my belief," he wrote in an e-mail to The Odessa File, "that three three-year terms have enabled me to contribute some ideas and thoughts to our District and to help make decisions for the benefit of our students. I have enjoyed my association with (Superintendent) Tom Phillips and the Board members immensely and am very proud to have been a part of the process to consolidate our students and programs onto one campus, to return our students to a 'common' time schedule and to help position our District as positively as possible to face the challenges of declining state aid and the 2% tax cap.

"We have a great forward-looking and very energetic/enthusiastic Superintendent, very involved and hard working Board members, and a caring and dedicated administration and faculty/staff who all put the welfare and safety of our students first, who work hard to maintain program and personnel to keep our students competitive with those from any other district, and who continually work toward increased student academic achievement while -- at the same time -- being sensitive to the needs and resources of our residents and taxpayers."

O'Donnell said that he and his wife are "looking at purchasing a home in Horseheads, but nothing is finalized at the moment."

O'Donnell, who also served as interim principal at Odessa-Montour High School in the 2005-06 school year, has been associated from the outset with the annual Top Drawer 24 celebration honoring two-dozen area high school student-athletes. The team is subtitled The Brian J. O'Donnell Schuyler County Scholar-Athlete-Citizen Team in his honor. He serves on the team's selection committee, and has introduced each honoree at all seven of the annual celebrations, held at the Watkins Glen State Park pavilion. He will continue in that role.

Photo in text: Brian O'Donnell